K-Kids at Sunnyslope Helped Feed Those in Need

Sunnyslope Elementary School K-Kids—a youth Kiwanis club—raised $1,195 and donated it to Packing Friendship, a program of that provides food for low-income students who might not have enough food to eat over the weekend. The K-Kids presented a check to Barbara Tilly and Rebecca Lake of the Grace Lutheran Church. 

“These K-Kids kids at Sunnyslope are just absolutely amazing,” said Barbara Tilly. “What a good pattern it is for life—for them to realize that your life is not just for you to have a good time. Life is here for you to be of service to others.”

Barbara Tilly and the Grace Lutheran Church founded the Packing Friendship program six years ago. It’s grown to include volunteers from 21 churches, a Rotary and a Rotaract Club. Packing Friendship volunteers fill backpacks with nonperishable food for those kids in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee on Friday afternoons so they’ll have enough to eat over the weekend and to share with their families. 

“We set jars in each classroom for money,” explained K-Kid officer Kahlen. “The most money [collected] classroom got an extra recess.” The winning classroom, taught by Margaret King and Twila Morgan, raised $280.03. 

K-Kids are supported by parent volunteers Melinda Gilliver and Jennifer Noyd, and the Wenatchee Kiwanis Club.

“I think it a phenomenal that they’re being made aware of the needs in our community,” said Rebecca Lake. “And that they were ambitious enough to gather both food and money donations. They went above and beyond by helping out the community this way. I think they deserve a huge recognition.”