ATGers Volunteer to Prevent Childhood Hunger
T he Kids EmPower Pack program at the Missoula Food Bank addresses the serious problem of childhood hunger facing Missoula.
Eight ATGers joined with Team Red, White, & Blue and other community members to create 3,500 take home meals for local students on Sunday, April 22. This monthly event helps support roughly 700 students in the Missoula area and ensures the students have nutritious food over the weekend, when they may not have access to any at all.
ATGers routinely volunteer for this effort because they understand the impact the program has on their community.
“It only took one Kids EmPower Pack volunteer session for me to realize the difference we were making in the lives of children across the city who may not have enough food to make it through the weekend. It is this realization that keeps me coming back every month to participate,” said ATG volunteer Lauren Nichols. “While I may not be able to save the masses, I am able to directly impact the lives of students who are at risk in our Missoula community.”
Lauren’s experience during each session of the Kids EmPower Pack build-out is always a mix of emotions.
“On the one hand, it’s a heart-warming experience to see the community come together to give back to those in need. On the other hand, my mind races with ideas on how do we, as a community, help to resolve the root cause that leads to the necessity of programs like the Kids EmPower Packs?”
She offers some great advice to those looking to volunteer.
The first step of volunteering is actually the easy part; it’s the second step, realizing there is a larger scale issue, that is a harder problem to solve. My advice for those looking to volunteer – Do it! Become aware of the issues that are hindering those in your community, and then, be the change.
Rebecca Miller is a Marketing Specialist in ATG's Overland Park office. She joined ATG in 2018 and her favorite aspect of ATG is the people. She enjoys having the opportunity to write about them and promote ATG's amazing culture.
