Kids Kupboard program filling bowls, hearts

PALMER — Students, parents and staff at Machetanz Elementary School just wrapped up a more than three-ton food drive for the Mat-Su Borough’s Kids Kupboard (KK) program. KK is a nonprofit, charitable organization with a goal of making sure no child in the Mat-Su goes hungry and has been trying to fulfill that goal since 2010.

According to KK Executive Director Lynette Ortolano, the effort at Machetanz resulted in the collection of 6,399 pounds of food. Ortolano wanted to give a special thanks to Principal Jen Dowd, along with Robin Ouellette and Ann Class. She said a “big shout out” goes to Carrs in Wasilla for allowing use of its shopping carts which made collecting the food easier. The Machetanz collection, combined with private donations, allows KK to offer meals to at-risk children both during the school year as well as over the summer months.

“This is the only large food drive put on for Kids Kupboard. We do have dozens of local individuals who donate regularly, especially in the summer with fresh produce. This past summer we received almost a thousand pounds of carrot,/potatoes, lettuce, and raspberries,” Ortolano said. “Childhood Hunger is a serious problem in our communities. More than 6,000 of our students are living in poverty and families are worried about being able to provide enough healthy food to their children.”

Through the kindness of others, Kids Kupboard prepares and provides fresh, healthy meals each weekday all year long to more than 700 children at 14 different Mat-Su locations from Sutton to Trapper Creek. According to KK, nearly one in three children living in the Mat-Su is considered impoverished. In fact, Ortolano said, the number of children living in poverty in the borough could fill the Menard Sports Center one and a half times.

“We understand that not all children can access a community center,” Ortolano said, “especially given the rural nature of our communities. In these cases we go to them. Of the 68,000 meals we provided in 2016, 49,400 have been delivered.

“We continue to partner with community leaders, local governments, small businesses, and individuals to reach more children who need us and we couldn’t do it without this kind of support. Children in our community do not have to go hungry. They deserve great nutrition to help them grow, learn and play,” Ortolano said.

During the school year, KK prepares approximately 170 meals each day and gets them to seven sites. Includes are an early-morning breakfast and afterschool supper at Wasilla Boys and Girls Club--the organization’s main kitchen site. Also afterschool suppers at Co-Occurring Disorders Institute, Sutton Library, Big Lake Library, Mat-Su Health Services; an afterschool supper and teen groups program at Denali Family Services in Wasilla, and a hot supper program at Big Lake Restaurant.

Ortolano said the program plans to expand to include: afterschool supper programs in Butte, along with community centers in Willow and Big Lake. Ortolano said there are also plans to expand into the Fairbanks area with an early-bird breakfast and afterschool supper program. Another area of planned expansion, which Ortolano said KK hopes to implement starting the 2017-2018 school year, is a backpack program.

Ortolano said across the country, teachers and school nurses have found that in some instances, Monday morning comes and they are forced to compete against hunger for students’ attention. Many borough children qualify and take advantage of free or reduced-price meals through the national school lunch program.

“We recognize the need for backpack programs across the Mat-Su and have a desire to begin this program,” Ortolano said. She said a pilot program is scheduled for Iditarod Elementary.

KK doesn’t shut down once school is out for the summer. Ortolano said the program prepares and serves almost 450 daily meals over summer vacation. It offers three meals at the Wasilla Boys and Girls Club and at Knik Tribal Council’s summer camp programs; lunch and snacks at Denali Family Services; lunch at Eagle River Boys and Girls Club, Sutton Library, Goose Bay Elementary School, Willow Food pantry, Big Lake Library, John Bigge Lions Park and Northridge Apartments in Palmer, Trapper Creek Summer Camp; and dinner at Big Lake Family Restaurant.

Ortolano said KK which is a non-profit agency, has always been committed to using every dollar wisely and responsibly. In addition to Ortolano, KK’s staff is limited to food services manager Heidi Wagner and kitchen assistant Piper Rasmusson. In 2016 to date, more than 40,000 volunteer hours have made the program possible.

“Where ever possible we use donated food items, supplies and services. Our overhead is well under industry standard intentionally, as we strive to assure that funds are dedicated to feeding more children,” Ortolano.

KK is sponsoring an “Mat-Su Empty Bowls Project” fundraiser at the Palmer Train Depot Tuesday, Dec. 13 6-9 p.m. Ortolano said the grassroots event is a result of a new partnership with the Alaska Clay Arts Guild. Clay bowls are created and donated by the guild, individual artists and Valley Pottery Association members. Those purchasing tickets for the event will have the opportunity to choose a bowl, fill them with soup for a light supper and take home the empty bowl.

“We are excited about working together with potters and ceramic artists (who) are joined by wood turners, glassblowers, fiber artists, metal smiths, painters, sculptors, and other artists and craftspeople to join our efforts to reach hungry children who need us,” said Ortolano.

She said the organization welcomes new partners to help the cause. Various sponsorships are available. For additional information, on the program or upcoming fundraiser, visit www.kidskupboard.org or contact Ortolano at 907-370-9476 or lynette@kidskupboard.org.