Food insecurity is a concern in the Eastern York School District, but help is on the way. The Power Packs Project, which delivers weekend meals to families, is coming to the district's elementary schools in March.

"We are the first school district in York to use Power Packs," said Kimmy Nickle, pupil services specialist for the district. The Lancaster-based organization currently serves schools in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. Nickle had not heard of the project when she was approached by Tony Lewis, a member of Mount Pisgah Trinity United Methodist Church in York.

"He and his wife are very active in the church and very mission-oriented," Nickle stated. "He had it on his heart to do this to benefit the kids who attend the schools in the district where the church is located."

Lewis and a team of volunteers will handle collecting the meals at the church, delivering them to the elementary schools and distributing them to families. Nickle said Power Packs comes at the perfect time, because the district participated in a previous food donation program that ended, and the need is great in the district. "As we see more funding being cut for federal programs and just with the rise in food prices, we know our families need this," Nickle said. "Not having food to eat is a scary position for a kid to be in." Power Packs provides families with a recipe and the ingredients to cook a nutritious meal each week.

Distribution of Power Packs will begin on Thursday, March 2, with boxes of food set to be given out every Thursday after school at the three Eastern York elementary schools - Kreutz Creek, Canadochly and Wrightsville. Mount Pisgah will make arrangements for evening pickup as well.

While Power Packs will initially be available only to elementary school families, Nickle noted that the district hopes to expand to the middle school and high school in the near future.

The success of Power Packs in Eastern York School District will depend on the number of volunteers the program receives, Nickle stated. "We are hoping to get lots of volunteers so that people can maybe help once a month and not have to do it every week unless they want to," she said.

Families may register for Power Packs by signing up through a link that will be provided via district email, Nickle said. Anyone who lacks access to a computer or needs help enrolling in the program may make arrangements to use a district computer by contacting Nickle at 717-252-1555, ext. 33231. Volunteers who are interested in helping with Power Packs may call Helen Lewis at Mount Pisgah Church at 717-252-4412.