Buddy Pack Program: Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Social Engagement in Addressing Food Insecurity in K-III Rural Schools
Buddy Packs, a program implemented by the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri provides meals to food-insecure students during the school year. In addition to providing meals, the Buddy Pack Program works in conjunction with the Whole Child, Whole School, Whole Community Model developed by the CDC to encourage active participation by volunteers from Truman’s diverse campus to create partnerships, increase the accessibility of school nutrition services, and increase awareness of food insecurity’s impact on learning. Volunteers from varying socio-economic classes were studied to determine the effectiveness of the program, logistics of community building in Kirksville, and translation of Social Cognitive Theory into program planning. Data was collected on the impact on the community, discussing trends of packing between previous years to address the overall impact of Truman Student’s participation in the program.
Keywords: Food Insecurity, Volunteerism, School Health, Health
Topic(s):Health Science
Service Learning
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA