FAQ Categories
How much does it cost to sponsor a child or a school?
Snack Pak 4 Kids® works hard to keep our bag costs as low as we can while still providing the best nutrition possible in each bag. Currently, we can feed an elementary student for $20.00/mo. or $240/yr. and a middle and high school student for $30/mo. or $360/yr. Our summer program costs $50 for the entire summer.
100% of all donations are used to buy food only, unless designated otherwise.
Do you just provide food for students during the school year?
While providing food for students over the weekend during the school year is our primary focus, we know hunger doesn’t end during the summer. During the summer months, we continue our efforts to provide for area children through a variety of trusted partners, including AISD summer school programs, Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department, Wesley Community Center, Maverick Boys and Girls Club, MAAC, Amarillo College, Eastridge Mission Center, and others. Our summer program costs $50 for the entire summer.
How do you select which schools are in your program?
Actually, that’s not a choice we make. It’s up to the communities and schools. We begin serving students once their schools have contacted us to inform us of the need on their respective campus. Once a school makes the initial contact, we meet to discuss their issues and needs. Our goal is to make sure, from the beginning, that SP4K will be a sustainable solution for their hungry students.
What type of foods are in the bags?
- Limited high-fructose corn syrup
- Shelf stable (no refrigeration required)
- Easy to open
- Limited to no preparation required
- No adult supervision to prepare a meal
How are kids selected to be in your program?
At each participating school campus, staff members identify students who may potentially be living in food-insecure homes, based on observed behaviors and physical symptoms. Financial criteria are not used to determine if a student is food insecure because income does not equal food security for children.
Once identified, a teacher or counselor asks the child if he or she would like to be part of the program. If the child states “yes,” a permission form is sent home. The student begins to discretely receive Snack Pak bags after that form is signed and returned.
Similar criteria are used for our middle school Snack Shak program. High school students self-refer via the link on their school’s website or on our Snack Shak site and parental permission is not required.
What are some potential signs of food insecurity teachers observe?
- Rushing food lines
- Extreme hunger on Monday mornings
- Eating others’ food
- Always asking for seconds
- Extremely thin or obese
- Chronically dry or cracked lips
- Excessively sick or absent from school
Please feel free to download these free resources:
How does hunger affect children’s learning?
When children are hungry, they are not equipped to learn. Studies show food insecure children are more likely to get sick, be tardy or absent, and repeat a grade.
Can I donate directly to a specific school or town?
Absolutely. Any community or school that participates in our program has its own account within SP4K. That means all donations specified for a particular school or area are applied exclusively to the bottom line of that school or area. Any non-dedicated donations go toward funding schools or areas that do not have sponsors. If you would like to donate to a specific school or community, just go to our Donate page and follow the instructions on the form.
How much of my donation actually goes to feeding children?
All of it. Every dollar and every dime. One hundred percent of all donations isis used to purchase food for the program.
How can we accomplish this? It’s because of our partnership with Baptist Community Services, who generously covers our overhead costs, like maintenance, salaries, and utilities. This allows SP4K to use all of our donated funds to purchase food.
How/when can I volunteer?
We love volunteers! In fact, other than a few staff positions, SP4K is entirely volunteer-driven. This is a community effort that requires the help of many people in order to feed thousands of kids every weekend. We use signup.com to coordinate our volunteer efforts.
On a regular basis, we need people to help:
- Pick up empty totes at schools
- Prep the warehouse for packing
- Pack bags at the warehouse
- Deliver totes to schools
Are there age requirements for volunteers?
We do not have age requirements and have found that every member of the family — regardless of age — can enjoy helping us prepare supplies or pack bags. Other than a few jobs that require heavy lifting or driving, we try to include all ages and abilities whenever possible.
I want to volunteer, but don’t know how I can help. What can I do?
There are so many different ways you can help! From packing bags and taking photos to simply spreading SP4K’s mission, you can make a difference. Let us help you find your gift!
What is SP4K's IRS tax exempt information?
Status: 501(c)(3)
ID#: 75-2206268
Have you stopped accepting donated pop-tarts and peanut butter?
Yes. SP4K is committed to providing the very best brand new, brand-name food for the kids we serve. With that in mind, several years ago we opted to discontinue donations of Pop-Tarts and peanut butter.
With the recent rash of food recalls, we feel it is of the utmost importance that we are able to track one hundred percent of the food we are distributing. Through our partnerships with Labatt Foods and Affiliated Foods, we are able to track the food used in our Snack Paks via lot number. We are unable to maintain that same standard with donated items. Through our buying cooperative, we are able to stretch our dollars and buy more than our generous donors can at retail.
With this in mind, we will continue our commitment to use 100 percent of donated funds for food unless otherwise designated.
Please know that we still need your partnership to help end weekend hunger! Visit our Make A Difference page or call Becky at 806.626.9012 for additional information.
