Letter to the editor: Project SEED feeds hungry kids

Many families are busy preparing their children for “back to school” by buying new clothes and supplies. Unfortunately, not every child has the opportunity to start the school year, and each school week, with that same level of preparation.

Right here in the Alle-Kiski Valley, hundreds of children live in food-insecure homes. Not only are they not starting the school year with a new outfit and a backpack full of supplies, many are starting school hungry. Often, the breakfast and lunch they receive in the school lunch program are the only meals they eat each day. They often go without any food at all on weekends.

For six years, Project SEED has been providing a bag of weekend food for these struggling children so that they have Something to Eat Every Day (SEED). Project SEED, founded by two retired educators, operates out of the Alle-Kiski Valley Senior Citizen Center. Last school year, a group of dedicated senior citizens packed over 8,700 bags of food for an average of 235 children every weekend.

Project SEED receives no government or agency funding, relying totally on donations. Each food bag costs approximately $3 per week per child. Our goal this year is to raise $30,000 so we can continue to meet this critical need. Every penny received goes to buying food; all operating expenses are paid for by the co-founder.

To support this worthwhile program visit www.somethingtoeateveryday.org or send a tax-deductible contribution to the Alle-Kiski Valley Senior Citizen Center, 1039 Third Ave., New Kensington, PA 15068. Thank you!

Joanne Cecchi

New Kensington

The writer is co-founder of Project SEED.