Rotary learns about Backpacks for Kids

    HOULTON — During Thanksgiving and Christmas, communities make an effort to help families in need. But what happens the other 50 weeks of the year? The Salvation Army has reported that our neighbors are struggling in unprecedented ways in these hard economic times. This means that there are more children going hungry than ever before. Thankfully, there is a way to ease their suffering and it is as simple as a backpack and the groceries to fill it.
    Moose Karnes recently told the Houlton Rotary Club about a pilot program he learned of in Guilford, Maine, that helps to feed kids and their families on weekends. The Guilford school district kindly shared their information and he took it to a group of like-minded individuals.  The Houlton Area Backpacks for Kids Program was born.
Contributed photo/Michael Clark
ROTARY GUESTS — Moose Karnes and his daughter, Audra Cowperthwaite; and Ryan Bushey, Rotary Club vice president.
    In conjunction with ACAP, backpacks are filled with non-perishable items on Thursday and taken to the school on Friday. The children return the bags on Monday and everything is repeated the following Thursday. This is a simple way of reaching out to those in the community with something as basic to each individual as food.
    If you would like to contribute to this program, Karnes can be reached at Backpacks for Kids Program, Houlton United Methodist Church, 28 School St., Houlton, ME 04730.