United Way Launches Buddy Bag Campaign
KOKOMO, IN – PRESS RELEASE – In response to an urgent community need, United Way
serving Howard and Tipton Counties, Community Howard Regional Health and Solidarity
Federal Credit Union are taking action to organize a community-wide effort to raise funds for
Buddy Bags and fight childhood hunger.
“We realized that the need for weekend food was urgent and we are doing everything we can to
mobilize volunteers and resources to fill the gap in our community,” said Abbie Smith, United
Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties President and CEO. “Food Finders Food Bank is
working with us to scale up an already existing Buddy Bag program in place at Bon Air, Tipton
and Tri-Central Elementary schools to expand into the needed schools to fill the food insecurity
needs of those students.”
Buddy Bags is a program that fights food insecurity for affected children by sending home a bag
with enough food for the child and their family for the weekend. There are approximately 1,000
children in need of weekend food in Howard and Tipton Counties.
“Buddy Bags are instrumental in the health and overall well-being of many families in this
community,” said Joe Hooper, President of Community Howard Regional Health. “As a health
system our mission to improve health and wellness extends beyond the hospital and we will
continue to work with agencies across this community to support efforts around food insecurity,
mental health, substance abuse and access to care.”
“Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union is proud to sponsor buddy bags for those children in
our community who might not know where their next meal will come from,” said Melissa
Domingues, President of Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union. “We believe strongly in
supporting this community that has supported us since 1954, and we believe doing something
together is what makes a community stronger.”
United Way is looking for 825 Buddy Bag sponsors for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school
year. There are multiple ways to sponsor a Buddy Bag. Below is a breakdown of sponsorship
levels:
· $7 sponsors one child’s grocery bag for one week
· $28 pays for one child’s grocery bag for one month
· $126 pays for one child’s grocery bag for one semester
· $252 pays for one child’s grocery bag for one year
If you are interested in sponsoring a Buddy Bag, please visit
https://unitedwayhoco.org/united-way-programs/buddy-bags/ or call United Way at 765-
457-4357 ext. 306 and speak with Libby O’Brien.
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