Just $6 can provide six meals for a child, says Steve Taylor, chairman of the Kiwanis’ Club “Backpacks for Kids” program.

Somewhere around five years ago, the Rotary Club of Port Townsend came to the Kiwanis asking for help with a free meal weekend program for students in need.

Taylor said the Kiwanis ended up taking over the program with resounding success. The club works with the Port Townsend School District to provide bags containing two breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, for schoolchildren in need. Children who qualify for free school lunches are eligible for a black plastic bag of weekend vittles, containing fruit, milk, juice, canned goods, and some packaged snacks that can fit into a backpack.

“We try and pick healthy things,” Taylor said, adding that one of their members is an “expert shopper” who finds Costco to have economical options.

“We meet during the school year every other week, and pack for two weeks at a time,” he explained. The local Elks Lodge has donated food storage space and an area where folks can assemble the packs.

“Backpacks for Kids” is funded by the Kiwanis themselves, as well as help from the local Rotary club, United Good Neighbors, various churches throughout the community, and other helping hands.

Taylor said the group has seen an uptick in meal requests since COVID.

In 2019, they were providing 50 to 55 meals per week. He anticipates that number to reach at least 70 this school year, as applications from parents trickle in.

“Statistics are quite depressing sometimes,” he said. “The need is out there.”

Financial donations to the Kiwanis for the “Backpacks for Kids” program can sent to PO Box 489, Port Townsend WA 98368, and designated as such.