Minden Backpack Buddies Club enters fourth year

The Backpack Buddies Club at Minden Elementary School is going strong and is now in its fourth year of existence.

"We are currently filling the needs of 21 families (totaling 32 students) who are in need of our support," said program coordinator Ginger Easley, a real estate agent with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates. "The need continues throughout our Valley. There are wonderful programs that provide meals for these children at school. Unfortunately, for some of these children, this is the only time they eat. In the evenings and on the weekends, they continually go hungry."

Backpack Buddies Club is a program established under the guidance of MES Principal Ken Stoll and school counselor Mary Garcia. The primary goal of the club is to provide food for those children in need for consumption on the weekends. The program also provides snacks to children who are unable to provide snacks for themselves.

This year, the broker and agents of RE/MAX Realty Affiliates in Gardnerville and Carson City, in partnership with Sharkey's Casino in Gardnerville, gave up their holiday party to fund holiday dinners for those in need in our community.

"This is a wonderful gift for our families," said Stoll. "Our recipients are very grateful to have a dinner out during this holiday season."

Once again, a parent has provided books, purchased through the schools Scholastic program, for each of the 32 children for their birthday. In addition, the local medical and dental community continues to be instrumental in providing items such as soap, shampoo and dental supplies for monthly hygiene packets.

"This year to date, we have received a generous donation of $500 from Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 Club No. 730 as well as $1,000 from Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club No. 85," Easley reported. "The dental offices of Dr. Tim Pinther and Dr. Jay Marriage, Doug and Kim Russell at Russell's Mercantile, Trader Joe's, Kevin Mary at Lira's (who is dearly missed), Costco and several other members of our community have all contributed generously.

"Several significant donations have come in from anonymous businesses and families. It is this community effort that helps sustain this valuable and much needed program. We also have a large number of volunteers that weekly support our program."

Easley said it has been proven that children's temperament and ability to learn greatly improve with proper nourishment.

"In some trial programs like this, schools witnessed test score increases by as much as 20 percent," she said. "Like you, we care deeply about our beloved children and cannot allow them to come to school on Monday morning starving. No student can learn when their stomach is empty."

Those who may be interested in supporting the Backpack Buddies Club for Minden Elementary School (or any school within Douglas County) either with food or monetary donations should contact Easley at (775) 309-7979 or e-mail GingerEasley@gmail.com.