Full Tummy project asks county support after serving 600+ students; groceries cost cited at $140,000 last year

Melissa King, board member for the Full Tummy Project, told commissioners the volunteer-run program delivered weekend food packs to students at seven elementary schools (K–6) and served more than 600 students last year. She said groceries cost roughly $140,000 to supply the program and that fundraising options are limited to one golf tournament annually and sponsorships.

"The groceries cost $140,000 to be able to do that," King said, asking for county support to continue the program as food prices rise. She described safeguards (parent permission, teacher distribution to avoid stigma) and said the organization relies entirely on donations and volunteers.

Why it matters: the program addresses food insecurity among schoolchildren on weekends; county support would help maintain or expand coverage and offset rising grocery costs. The commission recorded the request for budget review rather than making an immediate appropriation.