RIFA Snack BackPack Program Needs Help
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JACKSON, Tenn. – It is hard to believe but many Jackson-Madison County children only get one meal a day. RIFA is trying to change that by providing children in 13 elementary schools with kid-friendly, nutritious foods over the weekends. Kimberly Siddell said her children has used RIFA’s Snack BackPack program since 2007 and she is grateful for the program. “I had my children with me. I was working but I still couldn’t make ends meet, me and my children, we was hungry,” said Siddell. Many parents like Siddell have to choose between electricity or food. RIFA was using a grant to keep the program going, but the grant was recently cut and RIFA said the need is growing. Siddel said if it was not for the program her kids would not have much to eat. “Hungry, hungry. Wondering if I got to go to a family members house and sit around and wait until they get ready to cook something for I could feed me and my children.” Granola bars and Ramen noodles are just some of the foods needed by RIFA to keep kids full over the weekend. This Saturday RIFA is hosting a “Fill the Bus” food drive outside of Sam’s Club and Walmart on Emporium Drive in norrth Jackson where people in the community can donate food items.
