Neal Curtis-Duguay Staff Writer

For some families, food banks and food stamps are the only sources of sustenance for a struggling family. Saint Leos Food Connection, the largest food bank in Washington, is currently running a Backpack Project correlating to the Martin Luther King week of service.

Every other Thursday, the Backpack Project seeks donations on Pierce campus to distribute two days worth of food for children at local schools. Many of these children are on free or reduced lunch programs, but risk not eating during the weekend. The City of Lakewood recently passed a Farm Bill, which cut food stamps in half for low-income families. “The Government is cutting food stamps in half. Families don’t have enough money and food banks don’t have enough food,” said Rebecca Anderson, community engagement coordinator.

Pierce College students have an opportunity to help families that live in hunger with only a small amount of effort. Like most charitable projects, the Backpack Project seeks food donations to pack and deliver. The result is “two days worth of food every Friday to more than 650 students,” Anderson said. If students are unable to donate food they can spend 15 minutes helping out and volunteering. Some classes require a few hours of community service supplementary to the course, and Food Connection’s project is an easily accessible volunteer opportunity that does not require leaving campus.

Anderson, Vista Coordinator, has partnered with the student government for this project. Every other Thursday is another day to pack food and accept donations. Students are highly encouraged to participate, as there are not enough students to pack the food. To volunteer or support the cause, call (253) 572-8405 or visit www.foodconnection.org.