Because a Hungry Child Cannot Learn

Food for Thought is a not-for-profit food program that feeds hungry school children in the Rowan Salisbury Schools during weekends and select holidays throughout the school year. Our mission is to improve our community by creating a coalition of organizations to feed food insecure school children in Rowan County.

We hope for a world in which every Rowan-Salisbury elementary and middle school student will be food secure so that they may have the opportunity to maximize their potential for success. We believe we can achieve our small part in this vision by providing a source of food for children during the times when they may need it the most. But our ability to achieve any part of our vision depends largely on the generosity of our community, friends and neighbors.

Our schools make a concentrated effort to feed every child that needs it every single school day. Breakfast and lunch are available for free to those who qualify, and for approx 13.7% of children in NC who are considered food insecure, those meals may be the only ones they eat on school days. On weekends, when they are not in school, it is more difficult for the school system to provide a source of food to these children, and that gap in need is what Food for Thought seeks to fill.

Our current form of distribution is donated backpacks that children enrolled in the program use and return each week. Volunteers for participating schools pick up, pack and deliver the bags. The program also accounts for and provides food for days off and holidays that do not significantly overlap with other community services.

Please help us ensure that these students continue to be fed. We need your help to further our work and give children an opportunity to make the most of their ability to learn as well as their potential for future success. Because our organization relies entirely on donations from members of the community and local grants, our funds are fluid and we are frequently seeking a ‘little help from our friends.’ Please consider sponsoring an event, making a donation, providing some exposure for our organization or helping us by volunteering. We are always happy to find generosity, regardless of what form it takes.