Hastings College Food4Thought
Non-Profit Food Assistance Program serving the Hastings, NE Public Elementary Schools
In 2014, 17.4 million U.S. households were food insecure at some time during the year. Food insecurity does not necessarily cause hunger, but hunger is a possible outcome of food insecurity.
Healthypeople.gov (2014)
What is Food4Thought?
Food4Thought is a local, non-profit food assistance program that sends meals home over the weekend with elementary school students within the Hastings Public Schools. These children's families qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program and may have limited access to food. Though these children receive meals through the school during the week, they may not have sufficient access to meals over the weekend. Food4Thought helps make sure that these students have something to eat before returning to school on Monday morning. Food4Thought is one of three Hastings-based food assistance organizations that compose The Open Table in Hastings.
Our Mission
Food4Thought's mission is to provide supplemental food to elementary-aged children so they can focus more on learning than being hungry. Our leadership team and volunteers pack and deliver meals to the five Hastings, Nebraska public elementary schools for each weekend of the school year.
Who Runs Food4Thought?
Food4Thought is operated by a leadership team comprised of dedicated Hastings College students and a faculty sponsor; however, we would not function without the dedication and hard work of student and community volunteers. Food4Thought relies on volunteers to pack and deliver the meals each week and is funded by generous donations from community groups, organizations, and individuals, as well as local grants.
What Does it Cost?
Food4Thought sends home 4 different meals per month for each family it serves. Each meal costs about $10. It costs approximately $200 to feed a child and his or her family for one semester and $400 to feed a family for one school year. Our annual expenses for food and minimal overhead costs totals approximately $40,000.
How Many Do You Serve?
Currently, Food4Thought serves approximately 95 families in the five public elementary schools in Hastings, Nebraska.
Sadly, the number of families we serve could be much larger; according to the United States Census Bureau (2019), 14.3% of the Hastings, Nebraska population is below the poverty level. On average, 60% of the students in the Hastings Public School system (K-12) qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Food4Thought serves a small portion of those in need, and we are always looking for opportunities to expand the program in ways that our budget can sustain.
Community Awards and Notable Donations
Feb. 2017: United Way of South Central Nebraska’s Spirit Award, Non-Profit Organization
Cooperative Producers, Inc. in Hastings, NE is one of our biggest supporters! They have secured matching grants from Land O' Lakes, Inc. Foundation on multiple occasions, allowed us to present to their organization, and volunteer to pack/deliver food, all of which support our mission.
Feb. 2021: Great Western Bank "Making Life Great" Donation
