Gumdrop's, NFP comes to Carterville Rotary

What is Gumdrop's NFP? We are a non-profit organization that provides a backpack with child-friendly foods to at-risk children for the weekends in southern Illinois. This program began January 2008 in the Carterville School System. The first drop provided backpack for 12 kids. By the end of the school year, we were delivering 64 backpacks. In January 2009, we were able to extend the backpack program to the Herrin School District. In both school systems, we are now feeding 200 backpacks a week to these at-risk children. As additional funding comes available, we will be expanding those backpack program to other school districts throughout southern Illinois.

How can you help?

There are a number of ways to help. Volunteer - Your time to assemble the backpacks and other miscellaneous jobs at our facility located at

118 Elles Avenue,
Carterville, Illinois

Behind the new bridal shop.

Monetary donations - Payable to Gumdrop's NFP.

Food donations -
Drop at point at 118 Elles Avenue, Carterville, Illinois, or give Ron or Amy a call, and we can come by and pick up the food. Ron Simpson - cell, 618-319-3829. Amy Simpson - cell, 618-319-3828, or at home, 618-985-4159.

Or visit our web site at www.gumdropkids.org

A list of their needed items:

• - Granola Bars
• - Pop Tarts
• - Apple Sauce
• - Pudding Packs
• - Jello Packs
• - Cereal Bars
• - Fruit Cups
• - Trail Mix
• - Oatmeal
• - Cheese and Crackers
• - Peanut Butter and Crackers
• - Small Cereal Bowls or Mini-Boxes
• - Raisins
• - Vienna Sausages
• - Goldfish Packages
• - Beans and Franks
• - Packaged Meats
• - Can Fruits