Savannah-based People of Action Caring for Kids (PACK) continues its work to help kids in crisis.
The nonprofit's most recent endeavor are "cottages" filled with items that might help a traumatized child when suddenly removed from a dangerous situation by police or children services. Volunteers sort and bag donated (or purchased) new items according to gender and age range so they're ready to distribute any time.
"You know, a police officer can find a child in crisis any time of the day or night," said Malena Stone, founder and CEO of PACK. "These cottages are here for a police officer, EMS person, or CASA volunteer to access any time."
Members in each of those agencies go through their community care officers to set up an orientation with Stone and receive the access code to the cottages.
Items stocked for children include clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags or air mattresses, and comfort items, such as stuffed animals. All the items are donated new from individuals and corporate sponsors, or purchased by PACK with monetary donations.
"We also have a wish list on amazon.com where people can purchase an item and have it shipped directly to us," Stone said.
In July, PACK has begun collecting school supplies and school uniforms for its foster kids. Stone said since all Savannah-Chatham schools start with a basic khaki bottom and white polo-style shirt, those are the items they most need. "We can send a foster kid to any school and he or she would have a uniform," Stone added.
PACK is seeking sponsors for the cottages to keep them stocked and ready. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $5,000 or more to provide these emergency supplies for up to 50 children. More information on how to be a Cottage Hero is on the PACK website at packsavannah.com.
Year-round food distribution
In addition to the cottages, PACK continues its year-round distribution of bags of food to area schools and community centers. Volunteers of all ages (including kids) are in the warehouse creating bags of food that are delivered to places where children can easily get them. "We made 16,000 bags this morning," Stone said on a recent Thursday. In addition to nonperishable food, each bag has a handmade card with words of encouragement created by volunteers.
In another part of the warehouse, an assembly line of children and adults were stacking large boxes of cereal, and rotating boxes containing jars of peanut butter so items with the nearest expiration dates would be distributed first.
Also during the summer, PACK is teaming up with a local law firm for "Childhood hunger doesn’t take a summer vacay" fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $15,000 which will sponsor food for local children for a year. The Eichholz Law Firm has pledged to match donations up to $7,500.
"Summer should be about relaxing and making fun memories," said Stone. "However, summer often brings stress and anxiety for children who depend on school breakfast and lunch to meet their nutritional needs."
Barbara Augsdorfer is the education and nonprofits reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Reach her at BAugsdorfer@gannett.com or on Twitter @Babs7983.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: PACK Savannah helps kids in crisis with food, clothes, comfort items
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