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Feeding Children In Need Through Lovepacs

Communities Provide Meals To Students Who Risk Otherwise Going Hungry During Extended School Holidays

Article by Julie Brown Patton

Photography by Brandi Richards

Originally published in Frisco City Lifestyle

With 250-plus volunteers serving 14 communities, one compassionate group ensures children have food during longer school breaks. 

Lovepacs serves children on free and reduced lunch programs through area public schools. Autumn Chavez, Lovepacs executive director, says they've established direct relationships with school counselors and administrators to properly identify children in need. She says they're currently operating in Frisco, The Colony, Little Elm, Castle Hills, Aubrey, Austin, Denton, Lewisville, Plano, Prosper, Gunter, Celina, Carrollton and Cy-Fair (Houston).

Autumn explains that Lovepacs provides mostly non-perishable, easy-to-open, and minimal cooking food items in boxes distributed to youths. In addition, they provide school counselors with stocked snack closets they may distribute to children who demonstrate a need.

"Lovepacs relies not only on volunteers to give of their financial resources but also their time. During various drives throughout the year, we need individuals who are willing to sort, count, shelve and pack inventory," explains Autumn.

Current Food Supply Needs:

  • Cans of Fruit (15-ounce pears, peaches)
  • Canned Pasta (15-ounce Ravioli, Spaghetti, Chef Boyardee)
  • Peanut Butter (16- to 18-ounce plastic jars)
  • Jelly (20-ounce plastic jars)
  • Ramen Noodle Packets
  • Mac & Cheese (Box)
  • Microwave Popcorn Bags
  • Granola Bars (10-12 count box)
  • Single Serving Snacks (1–1.5 oz pretzels, goldfish, Cheez-its, peanut butter crackers)
  • Boxed Cereal (up to 15-ounce box)
  • Boxed Cereal (single serving, individually packaged)

Lovepacs representatives share they recently learned the vegetable preferences of recipients:  1) corn; 2) peas; and 3) any kind of beans (green, black, pinto). To support overall health, five cans of vegetables are placed into every Lovepac box. 

Residential Drop Off Locations - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Little Elm

2675 Waterdance Drive, Little Elm, TX 75068

Central Frisco

2161 Wilderness Court, Frisco, TX 75033

4179 Parterre Drive, Frisco, TX 75033

Southwest Frisco

4745 Druid Hills Drive, Frisco, TX 75034

4889 Corinthian Bay Drive, Frisco, TX 75034

Southeast Frisco

15078 Daneway Drive, Frisco, TX 75035

Business Drop Off Locations - subject to business hours

Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 W. Main St., Frisco, TX 75034

Hilton Garden Inn Frisco, 7550 Gaylord Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034

To learn about local volunteer opportunities, email frisco@lovepacs.org. One popular option is the 'Adopt-A-Cake' kit, which enables volunteers to assemble birthday fixings. Some volunteers organize snack drives, such as was the case at First Frisco United Methodist Church, and St. James Orthodox Mission Church. Others shop for specific items particularly needed to stock the food supply shelves. Groups, such as the Texas Legends basketball members, often come assemble boxes as a team. 

On Facebook, a public group is established specifically for Frisco residents. It can be found by searching for 'Lovepacs-Frisco.'

Regarding financial donations, Autumn indicates $12.50 provides food for one child, $50 feeds four children and $250 takes care of 20 children -- although customized amounts always are welcomed. One-time or recurring donations can be made online via the nonprofit's website. Donors also can text the code "LOVEPACSFRISCO" to 44-321.

This summer, nearly 1,700 kids and 500 leaders at Cottonwood Creek Church VBS families collected and donated $11,000 to Lovepacs. 

Contributors also can shop the group's wish lists on Walmart Registry For Good, Amazon and Target Charity web pages. Autumn says more corporate sponsors always are needed. 

info@lovepacs.org
469.421.0292
LovePacs.org/Our-Communities/Frisco

Lovepacs, LLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization #46-0765090. All donations are tax-deductible.