Azura Credit Union employees and their families shared a Saturday this past month to visit Project Topeka. Azura participants were able to tour the facility, learn about the organization's 37 year history and their current community service programs. Staff and families were able to help pack some of the Fun Food Friday bags for the coming week, setup the inventory needed for next week's production, and assist with organizing inventory.
1,000 Fun Food Friday bags are delivered by Project Topeka every week during the school year to Lowman Hill Elementary, Randolph Elementary, and Highland Park Central. Project Topeka also assists with local non-perishable food donations being collected and allocated to local Food Banks. Thank you to the Azura volunteers over 15 hours of work was completed during the 2 hour visit.
Project Topeka developed the Fun Food Friday program to provide 100% of kids at an elementary school with a weekend food sack. After recognizing the need, Project Topeka began the process of fulfilling it by the creation of "Fun Food Friday." The program is designed to eliminate the stigma attached to receiving food assistance and help improve kids performance in school - because who can learn when you're hungry?
Starting in the 2018-2019 school year, Project Topeka was able to test the program at Randolph Elementary and was met with overwhelming success. "According to the principal at Randolph Elementary, the school saw increased academic performance, increased engagement, increased attendance, and the elimination of the stigma attached to food assistance. Kids were excited to receive the bags each week and no student was left out," said Project Topeka.
With the Above & Beyond success of the program, Project Topeka was able to expand the program to Lowman Hill Elementary as well as Highland Park Central Elementary - a total of 3 schools receiving Fun Food Friday bags for EVERY student.
To find out more about Project Topeka or for information on sponsoring a future school, visit their website today!