Annual Pack the Bus food drive returns Saturday, amid rising food insecurity in children

Angele Latham, Jackson Sun
·4 min read
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The annual Regional Inter-faith Association’s Pack the Bus food drive and fundraiser is gearing up for a weekend of impact, even as the need for children’s food support increases to record highs.

RIFA’s Pack the Bus program specifically addresses food insecurity in children by supplying “snack backpacks” for children at 14 local elementary schools throughout the school year—all thanks to the annual food drive that will occur this weekend at a number of locations.

“We'll have school buses parked at three Kroger's and two Walmart's in the city,” said Lisa Tillman, executive director of RIFA.

RIFA held its annual Pack the Bus food drive at 3 locations in Jackson on Saturday.
RIFA held its annual Pack the Bus food drive at 3 locations in Jackson on Saturday.

Workers of the fundraiser will give a list of items like pop-tarts, ramen noodles, microwave popcorn, and more to shoppers going into the five locations, with a focus on non-perishable food items that children like.

93% increase in need for food services

The program, which has grown over the years, served 1,300 students every week last year. Although there is always a need to provide better food security for children in the county, Tillman expressed that the need has grown exponentially as grocery prices climb in the post-pandemic inflation.

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“I can tell you that just in the front office (of RIFA), in the last three months we've seen a 93% increase in the number of people that are coming in for our food services,” she said. “I absolutely anticipate an increase in the number of students that we’re asked to serve—and we get those numbers from the schools through their counselors or their teachers."

She explained the Snack Backpack Program is one of the ways to support food insecure students—by providing food for elementary school children to take home for Saturday and Sunday until they return to school on Monday.

“And unfortunately though, the food costs have increased for us as well," Tillman said. "So what it takes to make a snack backpack has increased—all the more reason why we need the community support to keep this going.”

Also involved in the program is Miss Tennessee 2022 Lauren Dickson, of Lexington, who’s volunteer focus is food insecurity.

“As Miss Tennessee, in the Miss America organization, we have to have a social impact initiative and mine is ‘Heart for the Hungry: Overcoming Food Insecurity,’” Dickson said. “So I partner with food assistance organizations across Tennessee, and hopefully America if we get there, and help further their mission because food insecurity is very important to me.”

Dickson is particularly excited about the Pack the Bus program, among other RIFA initiatives.

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“Pack The Bus is going to give so much food to children that are in need, and who do not have food on the weekends,” she said. “And it's very impactful because on the weekends, when these children don't have food, they return to school on Monday, and they can't perform to their greatest ability because they have not fed their brain or body.”

Dickson hopes the community shows up Saturday even more than last year, especially in the face of rising costs for families.

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“I hope that we are so busy that I'll leave that event exhausted,” Dickson said. “I want to see children, I want to see people of all ages coming out to support this because it is really something that everyone can be involved in. It's a great opportunity to teach people what food insecurity is, and what the backpack program is, so that they can go in help purchase mac and cheese for someone who doesn't get that on the weekend.”

Locations for the drive, running from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will include:

  • North Walmart (2196 Emporium Dr)

  • South Walmart (2171 South Highland Avenue)

  • Kroger Lynnwood (941 North Pkwy)

  • Kroger West Towne Commons (41 Stonebrook Place)

  • Kroger University Parkway (35 W University Pkwy)

Items requested include the following:

  • Pop-Tarts

  • Ramen Noodles (chicken or beef)

  • Microwavable Popcorn (individually wrapped)

  • Apple Sauce (with foil lids)

  • Oatmeal (single-serve packs)

  • Chicken Noodle Soup (with pop-tops)

  • Macaroni and Cheese (individual packets/ bowls)

  • Ravioli (with pop-tops)

More items, as well as monetary donation avenues, can be found here.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham. 

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Pack the Bus food drive returns amid rising food insecurity in children