Noah Johnson Daily Press Gladstone High School students unload a delivery from Feeding America. The items are packed by the Gladstone Key Club and distributed to youths in need in the area.

GLADSTONE — A local club is working to ensure kids don’t go hungry on the weekends.

Gladstone/Rapid River Kiwanis and the Gladstone Key Club kicked off its backpack program in September. It works every week to ensure those in need don’t go without.

“Every week we do this thing called backpack packing where we basically make bags of food for people to take home over the weekend if they don’t have access to food at home,” said President of the Gladstone High School Key Club, Stacy Stephenson.

The program in the area has been going on for the past 10 years, according to Gladstone/Rapid River Kiwanis President Alan Stotz.

He explained why the program is essential and vital for those needing it.

“The kids would have nothing, I don’t think, over the weekend with regard to something to eat. Unfortunately, their home circumstance isn’t very solid. Consequently, they’re hungry over the weekend, so coming back to school after a weekend with not eating, I would suspect, would be kind of a detriment to their education,” Stotz explained.

He said the group is trying to ensure less food insecurity for youths, at least during the school year.

In addition to the backpacks, the group has a section reserved for any student needing food or hygiene products.

Stotz said the group currently helps 98 kids from Rapid River and Gladstone with backpacks. To determine which kids need assistance, the club works with the school administration to determine how many bags to pack.

He pointed to the efforts of the Kiwanis and Key Club volunteers, which work to help those who are hungry. Stotz said that he and company order food from Feeding America, and the youths handle the packaging.

“We couldn’t do without volunteers from the school, you know, the Gladstone Key Club, which are the ones that packed it for us. And again, those are the high school kids that are Kiwaniens. They’re the ones that do all the packing. So, they’re the feet on the ground, if you will,” Stotz said.

Stephenson talked about the club, saying being the president allows her to help even more.

“Key Club just means a lot to me because I really feel great being able to just help other people, and I knew that if I was president, I would have more of a role in helping those other people,” she said.

Stephenson isn’t working alone, as she and 55 other students are a part of the club working to help those hungry.

Stephenson is a junior at Gladstone and intends to serve in the club for her fourth consecutive year next year. Stephenson said she enjoys helping youths so much that she plans to continue her mission after graduation.

“I plan to go into child advocacy law right now because I want to be able to help, and I really do enjoy being around kids,” Stephenson said.

Stotz said the program is a real community effort, receiving funds from the Community Foundation, local churches and a senior center.

“It has been fortunate for us that there’s a number of people in the community that see the need and try and step up to it,” Stotz said.

Those who want to donate can do so through the Community Foundation.

“That would help,” he said.

Those interested in Kiwanis can contact Ken Benson at gladstonekiwanis@gmail.com or visit the website at gladstonekiwanis.weebly.com. The group can also be found on Facebook at Gladstone Kiwanis.