A Taylor woman has started a program to help feed kids in her community that may otherwise go without. The 3E Snacks program provides a weekend supply of food for children in need when the school breakfast and lunch program is not available, such as weekends and holidays.
“It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior, and achievement of every student that participates,” said organizer Kayley Willis during a presentation she made to the Community Values Committee.
Willis said that the program has been organized “to let kids know there are people in the community that love them.” She said that the name 3E Snacks was chosen because her three children’s names begin with the letter “E”.
The idea for the program began when Willis was in the Taylor PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization) and noticed the need for some of the kids to have a meal during the weekend. She knew that she should help these kids.
Willis went to Taylor Elementary School Principal Jeremy Hatch and to Snowflake Unified School District Superintendent Hollis Merrell to present her plan in order to get their approval and support.
She began the program in November of 2016, at Taylor Elementary School providing weekend meals for seven kids and has since expanded to all of Snowflake District schools, George Washington Academy and Northern Arizona Academy and now provides weekend meals to 127 kids, as well as other days off of school such as spring break.
The program is being done very discretely through administrators. Willis is given a number of students from each school, but has no names. She prepares the number of bags needed for participating kids and delivers them to the school who then gives the bag to the child.
Each food bag contains enough food for two breakfasts, two lunches, two snacks and two dinner items, all free of charge. All food is nonperishable and can easily be prepared by children.
Willis is in the process of becoming an official non-profit organization so that people and companies wishing to donate may do so and receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Willis explained that her family, as well as many individuals and groups in the community currently fund the program. She receives many donations and has had a Boy Scout troop help bag the food, as well as others who have stopped by her house to see how they can help.
She would eventually like to expand the program to the surrounding communities and school districts.
“We appreciate what you are doing,” Merrell told Willis noting that if kids are hungry it’s hard to learn.
Suggested food items include, pop top cans of Ravioli, macaroni and cheese (preferably Easy Mac), ramen noodles, canned Vienna sausage, individual oatmeal packs, toaster pastries, granola bars, individual applesauce and individual fruit cups. Food must be non-perishable and easy for a child to prepare.
Willis estimates the cost is $4.70 per child, per weekend. “Everything helps,” she said.
There are drop off boxes located in Taylor at Keep & Bear Arms and Black Diamond Auto Glass, and in Snowflake at Willis Well Drilling and Perfect Printz.
There is also a facebook page at www.facebook.com/3ESnacks, or email Willis at 3esnacks@gmail.com for questions or to volunteer.
