There are approximately 85,000 homeless people in Florida on any given night. Manatee County has about 3,500 of them, and many are young children.
That’s where Feeding Empty Little Tummies, or F.E.L.T., comes in, said Jadine Kunce, coordinator of volunteers for the organization. Unlike many charitable organizations F.E.L.T. operates under the rules (and umbrella) of Project Heart, a 501(c)3 program that falls under the McKinney-Vento Act. This act requires schools to enroll homeless children and youth immediately, even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence. It ensures that homeless children and youth have transportation to and from their school of origin if it is in the child’s or youth’s best interest.
The act also ensures that children are fed, and that’s where F.E.L.T. comes in.
Even though states get federal funding for this, food is always a problem as homelessness grows, Kunce said.
Local school districts must designate a liaison so that homeless children and youth are identified and served. The liaison must provide public notice of families (in the community and at school) and facilitate access to school services, including transportation. School districts are also required to track their homeless students and report that data annually.
A retired first-grade teacher for 38 years and now a volunteer in a kindergarten class, Kunce said “back in the day” the teachers used to identify the children who needed things and often the teachers were the ones who provided them — along with help from houses of worship and civic organizations. But picking and choosing made it hard to decide who should get food.
F.E.L.T. does not cover food given through free or reduced-price meals at school. Instead, the organization hands out specially marked backpacks (often painted in different colors or numbered inside so other students will not catch on).
These marked backpacks are packed with food in advance and given out on Fridays, so the children can take them home and have food for the weekend.
During summer vacation, designated locations for picking up filled backpacks allows the program to continue over school break.
In 2010, F.E.L.T.’s founder, Jane Evers, introduced Feeding Empty Little Tummies to three Manatee County schools. Now that number is up to 24.
“Right now we’re covering elementary and middle schools, with 30-to-35 volunteers,” Kunce said. “But we’re examining being able to cover some high schools as well. At the beginning of the year, after they’ve been certified homeless by Project Heart by filling out specific forms — which every child is given — we give each one who qualifies for the program a backpack.”
Project Heart is the organization that oversees the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act, which is managed locally by Lissette Fernandez.
The item most needed is protein: canned tuna, chicken, Spam packets, Vienna sausages, ravioli, individual mac and cheese, salad packs, cheese-pasta cups and potted meat.
They can also have some extras, such as pudding cups, fruit cups, breakfast bars, granola, snack crackers, ramen noodles, Cup Noodles® and fruit bars.
Food served in pop-top containerss are the best … and definitely no glass.
“Five-year-olds often have to drag their packs and glass is dangerous,” said Kunce. “We often have to buy the younger ones another backpack before the school year is out.”
Donations of both cash and food are welcome. F.E.L.T. has an arrangement with local food banks that they can “trade” donated foods like canned vegetables and other items that would not fit, for things kids can carry in a pack, Kunce said.
According to the Act, there are certain designations that qualify a child as homeless.
They are:
• Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
• Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
• Children and youth awaiting foster care placement
• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g., park benches, etc.)
• Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
Right now, volunteers know that churches are getting their vacation Bible schools ready for summer. “Wouldn’t it be a great thing if the [campers] brought in one item a day and knew they were feeding hungry kids just like themselves, only without food?” Kunce asked.
Each backpack costs between $15 to $20, she added.
Kim Bailey, director of development, comes up with many projects to gain cash and food. They have a 5K Run coming up and also the Sarasota Wine Festival. And Kunce’s husband John handles F.E.L.T.’s grant writing.
Bailey says she goes to organizations to speak about what F.E.L.T. can accomplish and how they can help. She can be reached at 941-705-2320.
Karen Cox is now setting up the May 7 “Fourth Annual Golf Classic” for F.E.L.T. To register for this tournament, call 941-720-0623. All proceeds from this classic go to F.E.L.T.
Meanwhile, for information on volunteering, call Jadine Kunce at 717-515-2745. For more information about F.E.L.T., or to help in other ways, call 941-896-870.
You may also visit F.E.L.T. online at www.feltinc.org, or email info@feltinc.org.