Dear St. Peter's Kitchen Family,

Did you know that about 42% of children in Rochester live in poverty?

That means nearly half of the kids in our community are going without basic necessities—like nutritious food and essential school supplies.

And when students arrive at school without the tools they need to learn and grow, it affects more than just their grades. It impacts their attendance, participation, confidence, and long-term success.

But thanks to caring neighbors like you, St. Peter’s Kitchen is here—helping families facing poverty and food insecurity in Rochester. Through our daily lunch program, which operates even on Saturdays when school meals are unavailable, and our food pantry, we ensure no one goes hungry. Our social work team connects families with vital medical, housing, and financial resources.

And now, we’re preparing for one of our most meaningful programs of the year:

Our Backpack Program 🎒

Beginning in early August, families can sign up to receive backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies based on school lists plus a Bright Start Breakfast Package with shelf-stable milk, yogurt, cereal, fruit cups, and protein bars. It’s enough to provide a full week of healthy breakfasts to help a child start school nourished and ready to learn.

“We were so worried about Ellen and Julie. But then we opened the backpacks and saw so many wonderful things like school supplies and breakfast food. This is going to make a big difference. Thank you!” – Martha

Right now, families in Rochester are doing everything they can to put food on the table and buy basic school supplies. But recent federal funding cuts—to SNAP, education, and the USDA—are making it even harder to survive, let alone thrive.

With these safety nets disappearing, families are turning to St. Peter’s Kitchen—and to you.

As a dedicated supporter, you’ve already made a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors Can they count on you again today?

Just $72.50 provides one child with a fully stocked backpack and a week of nutritious breakfasts.

Whether it’s $72.50, $100, or a gift of any size, your support helps ensure that kids have what they need to succeed in school—and know they’re not alone.

Your support is urgently needed:

• Every week, 45 families visit our food pantry—more than 2,100 families each year
• Last year, we served 130,694 lunches
• Since 1998, we’ve distributed over 1,800 backpacks to kids in our community

Your support is instrumental in helping families in Rochester who are struggling with food insecurity. With you by our side, we’re opening doors to brighter futures for kids in our community – and for that I can’t thank you enough.

With Gratitude,

Bob Boyd

Chief Executive Officer

P.S. With the devastating cuts to SNAP and USDA, please give as generously as you can to St. Peter’s Kitchen today, to help us provide the life-changing programs our neighbors are relying on now more than ever.

https://www.stpeterskitchen.org/

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