“Hunger doesn’t take weekends off.”
“The Mantua Township School District has always been very charitable,” said Kim Borochaner, a paraprofessional at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School. “The district is always involved and sending money to different places.”
However, one day in 2012, Borochaner began thinking about children in the district who may be in need. She discussed her concerns with fellow district paraprofessionals Melissa Pluta and Kathleen Solman.
“Working in special education, we see disadvantaged kids and families that need a little help,” Borochaner said.
To fill a void in the community, they opened a chapter of “Blessings in a Backpack.” Recalling an article in People magazine about the national organization, the J. Mason Tomlin staff worked for six months to develop a plan of implementation, presented it to the Mantua School District Board of Education and were met with enthusiasm.
One slogan of this national nonprofit is “Hunger doesn’t take weekends off.”
With tact and confidentiality, Mantua School District is in its sixth year of providing district children, some of whom are on the free and reduced lunch program, with food items for the weekend.
Nationally, according to the site, this nonprofit is feeding more than 87,300 children in more than 1,000 schools in 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
In Mantua, approximately 70 children each year receive food items each weekend from November until the end of the school year.
“The items are convenient things for the kids to prepare,” Pluta said.
The items mainly include non-perishable items such as Chef Boyardee, ramen noodles, mac n cheese, oatmeal and cereal bars.
“We generate all the money we spend on food,” Borochaner said. “Knock on wood, we’ve been able to sustain ourselves from the beginning.”
Throughout the year, Borochaner, Pluta and several volunteers band together to raise the money for the initiative, including luncheons for school staff with a $1 cover charge.
Donations have assisted with this program in the past; Borochaner stated an area business once donated $5,000 to the cause, an amount that solidified funding for the year. Local families and individuals have also donated.
However, just as many initiatives experience lull periods, Mantua’s “Blessings in a Backpack” is looking to reignite the community’s giving spirit.
That’s why Borochaner and Pluta are excited for the 5th Annual Volleyball Tournament Fundraiser.
The fundraiser, set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School, is sponsored by the Mantua Township Education Association and assists with funds for the cause.
In the past, Mantua teachers, staff members, police and firefighters have competed in a round robin tournament.
Spectators pay $1 at the door, food donated by community members and local organizations is available for sale, and there is also a basket auction.
Two years ago, nearly $4,000 was raised in support of the program.
“I’m going to say probably at least 50 people volunteer each year,” Borochaner said.
“We always have extra staff helping,” Pluta added.
Borochaner and Pluta echoed the stats from the nonprofit’s website — “As little as $100 feeds one child on the weekends for one 38-week school year through the ‘Blessings in a Backpack’ program. The Results: Nourished Kids Ready to Learn.”
