Benefit concert for Fill the Back Pack program

Hunger is an insidious disease. It robs good families of their pride, integrity, and self-worth. Who wants to admit that they go without food and listen to those annoying, painful 
grumbles of the stomach? Although we live in the United States, the land of good and plenty,
this is truly a misfortune. The reality is that it never should happening, but it does. 
Lander is not immune to this difficulty. Many students come to school hungry. Although their parents work and they do their best to feed their kids, Sometimes, it is just not enough. In 
2011, awareness came to the administrators of Fremont School District #1 to help with this 
problem. Trinity Episcopal Church was working on a potential project called the Mustard Seed
Project where they needed a project to donate their time and resources to help.  The issue of 
helping to collaborate with them was brought to the Superintendent and the Back Pack program was born. 
This is the fourth year of the program and has been very busy getting food out to these families. The program began in December 2011, and it was serving 124 people. It has grown 
steadily over the last three years, feeding 134 people in August 2014. As of today, the program has jumped to 168. Thankfully, the volunteers from different churches and organizations have increased, but so has the need. 
On January 28, there will be a benefit concert at Trinity Episcopal Church to raise money 
and food donations for this project. The doors will open at 6 pm and a concert will be held at 
6:30 pm. The guest singer will be the Rt. Rev. John Smylie of the Episcopal Diocese. He will be singing and playing his 12 string guitar. He writes his own songs, sings them, and even 
accompanies himself. He has been described as the John Denver of the Episcopal Church. He has shared his music throughout the United States, as well as internationally. CD’s will be on sale for $10.
The concert is free, but we are asking for a donation of a non-perishable food to help to 
"Fill the Backpack." This can include peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, crackers, cereal, or boxed dinners. Money will be accepted by cash, check, or credit card.
Stephanie Harris, the Director of the Backpack Program today, states that “it takes around $400 per week to purchase the food. I try to buy it from the Food Bank of the Rockies so that I can get the best cost. All of the money goes to buying food and bags. There is no overhead paid by the program.” It is being housed at the former Starrett Junior High in one of the classrooms.
We, the people of Lander, are not going to let this disease invade our wonderful community. Help us stop it! Show your support with all of us! Make a difference in Lander! Contact Marcy Tepper, successfulwriter@msn.com 
This event is co-sponsored by the Lander Backpack Program, the Lander Association of Churches and Trinity Episcopal Church.