North Star 4-H Club applied for and received a Food Partner Challenge grant through Minnesota 4-H, thanks to generous support from donors and Compeer Financial. Club members decided to create meal kits to be sent home to families in need of food. The kits would contain only non-perishable food items, and preparation could not include any additional ingredients besides water. Club members spent time brainstorming ideas for the kits, and club officers had to compare prices and stay within their budget when shopping. The food purchased included pasta and sauce, soup and crackers, oatmeal and fruit cups, peanut butter and jelly and crackers, mac and cheese cups, pancake mix and syrup, chicken dinners and canned chicken, and chili and cornbread mix. Club members packed each meal into a large ziplock bag for easy distribution and created 79 meal kits!
North Star 4-H Club also hosted a “Socks & Snacks for Students” drive in January to collect clothing and food for elementary students. They partnered with local schools, churches and businesses for drop-off locations in the community. At the end of the drive, all donations were picked up and sorted. Club members also used part of their grant funds to purchase essential items in various youth sizes to add to the donated socks and snacks before delivery.
North Star 4-H Club showed thanks for the support the local community provided during the “Socks & Snacks for Students” drive. North Star 4-H Club also greatly appreciates being able to partner with school mental health providers so the meal kits, snacks, socks, and essential items can be distributed confidentially as needs are identified.
