Bismarck, ND – A Century High School student has teamed up with the United Way Backpack Program, businesses and individuals to address child hunger in the Bismarck-Mandan community.
For the past five years, Lauryn Hinckley has been collecting peanut butter and jelly to help feed local children. To date, her efforts and the support of her family, friends and 
community have produced impressive results – 1,701 pounds of peanut butter and jelly and $1,537. With the help of Starion Financial, Leingang Home Center, Bismarck and Mandan public schools, Disney Friends for Change, and Sodexo Foundation, she plans to take it to a new level this year.
Hinckley’s inspiration comes from an event she witnessed a few years ago. “When I was 9-years-old, I witnessed a family not able to afford their groceries. I saw two little boys’ faces drop and a look of embarrassment come over their mother in a busy checkout line. Up to that point, I had never considered the fact that you need money to get food.”
This type of occurrence may be more common than you’d imagine. Fourteen percent of children in the Bismarck-Mandan region live in poverty, and more than 13,000 individuals in Burleigh County alone rely on food banks each year.
The United Way Backpack Program is working to end childhood hunger by filling the gaps and sending healthy meals home with students on the weekends and breaks. In 2014, the program – supported by volunteers, individuals and local businesses – provided 42,192 meals to students who do not have enough to eat. The program is showing signs of success. Reported program outcomes include improved health, reduced stress and improved student performance.
The Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive will run from Tuesday, April 7 through Friday, April 17. Supporting the drive is as easy as stopping by your local Starion Financial to drop off peanut butter and jelly or visiting msaunitedway.org/pbj to make a monetary contribution. To ensure that items can be delivered to children, please donate 16 to 18 ounce store-bought plastic jars. Youth across the community will also be supporting the effort by hosting drives at their schools.
MSA United Way - Bismarck, North Dakota 