Children’s Food Basket
What is it? The Children’s Food Basket grew out of a need identified almost 20 years ago to provide food to Oakland school children who often came to school on Monday morning hungry because little food was in the home over the weekend. Through an MPC member who was an Oakland public school teacher, MPC partnered 10 years ago to do this with the former Lockwood school, now two small schools – Futures and Community United) both located at 6701 International Blvd., Oakland. Because of this commitment we are also designated a member agency of the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
How is this accomplished? Each week volunteers fill different jobs to solicit funds, grocery shop, pack or deliver to each school 32 bags of child-friendly food before each Friday (64 total). Because all children in each school qualify for federal AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), any child is deemed at risk for hunger in the home and the program relies upon teachers to identify the neediest children. Here are some pictures of students from Community United Elementary School (CUES) with their groceries.
Our funding is dependent upon separate donations from individuals, either in the Family Room after Celebration or through Giving to the World, or other major gifts. We do not receive permanent funding from MPC’s General Fund.
Who are the volunteers? MPC volunteers have provided direct, local help to the neediest and most vulnerable citizens of the greater Oakland community for over ten years. They are:
- children who bring in cans of food on Sunday mornings;
- teen/parent bagging teams, providing school community service credit;
- parents teaching their children how to donate;
- retired adults who appreciate the communal opportunities;
- everyone who brings in plastic or brown paper grocery bags
How can people become involved? Members and friends can donate canned goods (no glass containers or perishable, bulk or exotic foods, please), money or volunteer time. To see if this is right for you, please contact our office at office@mpcfamily.org.
Another way to help Oakland children is to volunteer tutor. For more information, visit the Faith Network webpage.