Wellness Center Receives Donation

Some Children May Get Hungry On Weekends

LINCOLN — It might not seem possible that some children might go home on weekends to very little food, but it happens.

For that reason the Lincoln Wellness Center has partnered with the Arkansas Rice Depot and local churches to make sure kids have enough to eat, according to Rebecca Pugh, district health coordinator of the Lincoln School District.

Andy Newbill, pastor of the Cincinnati United Methodist Church, recently presented Martie Cousar, RN BSN with the center, a $500 check from the North- west District of United Methodist Churches Hunger Task Force for the Food For Kids program.

“We encourage others to give as well,” Newbill said. “This is an ongoing program and $500 won’t last long.”

Newbill said his church donates $ 50 a month toward the program.

“Kids need food,” Newbill said.

Pugh said the Wellness Center sends home food for an average of 70 children every weekend.

“Ideally, each student receives a breakfast, lunch and snack for each day of the weekend,” Pugh said. “There is not always enough food to do that. That is why the partnership with the Methodist churches has been so helpful.

The Rice Depot provides new back packs and kidfriendly food to be distributed by the center. But it isn’t enough to meet the need, said Pugh.

“More and more children can be helped with these types of donations,” Pugh said referring the rice depot and churches.

Donations from the community will be welcome too.

To learn more, or to donate to the Food For Kids program, call the Lincoln Schools Wellness Center at 479-824-3000.

COURTESY PHOTO Martie Cousar RN BSN, Wellness Center director with Lincoln Public Schools, received a check last month from Andy Newbill, pastor of Cincinnati United Methodist Church.