The FIT Program (which stands for Food In Tummies) is a new project of The Junior League of Austin (JLA) and a unique program designed to provide weekend nourishment to children grades K-5 who qualify for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP – which provides free and reduced meals). FIT, managed by the JLA in collaboration with the Del Valle Independent School District, aims to help these hungry children by delivering backpacks of nutritious food each week to a Title 1 elementary school during the 2009-2010 school year.
In its pilot year, FIT will benefit the entire student population of Baty Elementary within the Del Valle ISD (which currently enrolls more than 800 students). Even though most schools within Austin Independent School District report one in two students are eligible for the NSLP, Baty Elementary currently reports that approximately 97 percent of enrolled students are considered economically disadvantaged and are currently enrolled in this program. These children will receive packs full of healthy food along with bilingual recipe cards and nutrition tips every week for 31 weeks during the 2009-2010 school year.
Children are Hungry - According to a report published by the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, the state of Texas ranks number one among the other 50 states in terms of percentage of hungry families. One in every four children in Texas is hungry. In Central Texas alone, more than 41,000 children (under the age of 18) face food insecurity every day.
The JLA wants to help address the growing number of hungry children through the development and expansion of the FIT program. Multiple studies and extensive research show that children who are hungry do not excel in school. The NSLP addresses the issue of hunger during the week, but not on the weekend. Children who go hungry over the weekend have higher rates of absenteeism, and difficulty with concentration and classroom behavior. In most cases, it takes a child who has gone hungry through the weekend until Wednesday to recover, only to start the cycle again each Friday.
By feeding an entire student population that is currently experiencing food insecurity, we expect to see improved school attendance (especially on Mondays and Fridays), improved BMIs, and decreased mobility of families whose children take part in the FIT program. Children in our community are hungry; help us feed them.
FIT in the News
Austin’s KUT August 31, 2009: http://kut.org/items/show/18006
West Austin News August 27, 2009: West Austin News FIT article
News 8 Austin August 22, 2009 : http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=250438
