Print edition: 
About nine months ago, a small group of retired USD 259 educators, recognizing the current economy's impact on families, began developing a plan for raising funds for the Food 4 Kids program. The Food 4 Kids program is more commonly referred to as the "backpack" program, which provides preassembled bags of food for children whom school personnel recognize as chronically hungry and not getting sufficient food outside of school. The testimonials of classroom teachers about the impact this program has on children's alertness and participation in the classroom are often dramatic, and evidence of the immediate effect the provision of sustenance can have.
Our slogan was "Close the C.A.S.E. (Caring and Sharing Educators) on Hunger" and targeted current and retired school personnel, requesting a donation of $10. On Thursday we had "the great day of giving." More than 100 retired educators from USD 259 fanned out to all building sites to collect the donations.
Currently, the amount raised through C.A.S.E. for the Food 4 Kids program is more than $16,500. This is an impressive amount, especially considering that the USD 259 employees are experiencing the same job losses and higher expenses as other families.
Though impressive, it is not surprising. One of the retired educators who visited the schools on Thursday found staff members who also collected money last week for a student's family whose home burned down and a staff member who lost a son. Educators (which include paraprofessionals, maintenance, custodians, secretaries, etc.) are truly caring and sharing people.
The C.A.S.E. committee appreciates USD 259 schools superintendent John Allison and Sierre Usher, coordinator of the Parent and Community Support Network, as well as other district administrators and personnel, for their generous support.
We also invite retired USD 259 personnel we were unable to reach prior to the "great day of giving" to contribute to this effective program. Mark in the memo area on your check "C.A.S.E." and mail to the Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67211.
KATHY L. WILSON
Wichita
