MARESA holds informational meeting for weekend programs to feed hungry kids
MARQUETTE — The Marquette–Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, or MARESA, held an informational meeting earlier tonight, regarding weekend programs to feed kids.
The meeting aimed to teach community members about the programs, what they do, and areas the programs may need assistance with.
“We just really want to get the word out there about these programs,” said Haley Mahr, nutrition educator and program coordinator. “These hopefully aren’t going away. We really want to be able to support the kids and the families out there that are hungry. Like I said, 1 in 5 children in the Upper Peninsula faces hunger. They need these programs to help them out on the weekends, so no child goes hungry.”
Currently, there are 7 programs in Marquette and Alger counties that provide children with food during the weekends.
The programs, thanks to a grant from the Superior Health Foundation, provides kids with backpacks full of food, including cereal, grains, fresh produce, and often a can of soup or pasta.
MARESA hopes to support these programs, in order to keep them more consistent and sustainable.
If you would like to volunteer or donate, www.maresa.org/quicklinks/health-and-prevention/