200 South Main Street Bellevue

The Hunger Coalition Receives a $9,000 Grant for The Backpack Club

We live in a remarkable community.  For people in need, there is help, and hope.  For the organizations providing that assistance, there are community-minded foundations like the Deer Creek Fund at the Helen K. and Arthur J. Johnson Foundation to offer critical financial support.  A steady supporter of The Hunger Coalition’s efforts to end hunger in Blaine County over the years, the Deer Creek Fund has stepped forward this year with a generous grant for the Backpack Club that will cover nearly one third of the total cost of this vital program.

Hunger is a year-round issue. During the school year, reduced-cost and free meals are offered to children who qualify through the Blaine County School District, including breakfast and lunch five days a week.  But what can these children do for additional nutrition when away from school over the weekends?  They can enroll in the Backpack Club, a program designed specifically to provide children at risk and facing hunger with easy-to-prepare single serving meals that can keep them nourished until Monday when they return to school.  For more than 130 students weekly during the 2009-2010 school year, this program offered more than supplemental nutrition, it gave children experiencing family crisis and hunger a greater sense of stability. 

With more than 450 children living below the poverty line in Blaine County and a current unemployment rate over 9%, it is critical for organizations like The Hunger Coalition to continue providing wholesome food, and hope, to those in need in our community.  With the support of organizations like the Deer Creek Fund, The Hunger Coalition can ensure our children have a real chance at becoming healthy, productive adults.

The Hunger Coalition is grateful to the Deer Creek Fund for their generosity and shared vision of a vibrant community whose children can look forward to a brighter tomorrow.  To learn more about what you can do to get involved, please visit www.thehungercoalition.org or call 788-0121. 

April in Bellevue: Champagne and Parisian Sweets. A Soiree, Thursday, April 22 from 4:00-800 p.m. at 202 South Main Street, second floor.

Two blossoming businesses above the Brick House on Main Street in Bellevue, have joined together again to throw another party for the community: Butterfly, Michelle Castle’s design studio for invitations, greeting cards and stationery; and Kirsten Shultz Photography, featuring the work of the international award-winning editorial and wedding life-style photographer. This spring, they are throwing a French themed event complete with Champagne and Parisian treats. Kirsten Shultz will be featuring a special exhibit, “Paris Street Photographs” and Butterfly, who recently re-sized their entire line of greeting cards, will be selling their entire inventory at least 50% off. They called on Sayvour Cuisine, a personal catering company owned by Nadina Keller, to provide the Parisian sweets.

The BrickHouse Restaurant will offer all party attendees a coupon for discounted dinner and wine downstairs after the party and will be featuring a French themed entrée special.

Kirsten Shultz Photography: 208-481-0138 www.ksweddings.com

Butterfly, Michelle Castle: 208-928-7999 www.butterflydesignstudio.com