Port Orchard witnessed a remarkable turn of events during this holiday season. Tish VanRavenhorst, the founder of the Backpacks for Kids food program in South Kitsap, had a heartening update to share just three weeks after a rat infestation devastated their stored food for kids in need. The South Kitsap food program had lost thousands of dollars worth of donated food in a storage room at Sidney Commons.
Suquamish Tribe's Generous Donation
The Suquamish Tribe stepped up with a remarkable $10,000 donation to Backpacks for Kids. This generous act raised the total amount received in the wake of the disaster to $25,000. The community's response was truly overwhelming, with South Kitsap Rotary matching $5,000 and launching a fundraising campaign on behalf of the program. This additional support will enable the food program to not only replace the lost food but also buy more supplies and deliver over 2,700 packs of food to students in need.Each pack, costing about $5.5, contains essential items like two instant oatmeal packs, two ramen noodles, two boxes of macaroni and cheese, two canned tuna, a pudding cup, a granola bar, and a trail mix. This ensures that kids from families facing financial difficulties have access to nutritious food on the weekends.The original fundraising goal of $10,000 was set to cover the cost of repurchasing the lost food and buying some shelves and tables for the volunteers to pack. With the extra funds raised, the program can expand its reach and make a greater impact.How the Need Was Brought to Light
Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu played a crucial role in bringing the program's needs to the attention of the Suquamish Tribe. After the incident was reported in the Kitsap Sun on Monday, the tribe became aware of the situation. A $10,000 check was presented to the food program during a ceremony on Tuesday.Leonard Forsman, Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, emphasized in a statement, "Kitsap County is within our ancestral homelands, and through our contributions we hope to ensure that families across the region have access to the essential resources they need to thrive."Suquamish Tribe's History of Social Contributions
It's not uncommon for the Suquamish Tribe and its economic development arm, Port Madison Enterprises, to make significant contributions to social service programs. For instance, in May, they gave $50,000 to the Bremerton Salvation Army to support housing for children and adults. This shows their commitment to improving the lives of those in need within the community.Backpacks for Kids has been built on the support of $5 donations for 17 years. Such generous gifts like the one from the Suquamish Tribe help keep the program sustainable in the long run. The founder, Tish VanRavenhorst, expressed her deep gratitude, saying, "We're just so incredibly grateful for the Suquamish Tribe to invest in us, especially at a time that was so challenging."This holiday season, the combined efforts of the community, the Suquamish Tribe, and South Kitsap Rotary have brought hope and nourishment to many South Kitsap kids. The Backpacks for Kids program continues to make a difference, one pack at a time. READ MORE