First, the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene would like to thank the many organizations who submitted an application for our most recent large grant request. We truly wish that we could have awarded more than one. With so many worthy organizations serving the community of Coeur d'Alene, it was a labor of love.

This recipient for the $5,000 large grant request was "The Backpack Program" through the Coeur d'Alene School District.

Community statistics:

• According to the 2009 American Community Survey conducted by the US Census Bureau, the median annual household income for Kootenai County is $47,431.
• In order to qualify for The National School Lunch Program, a family of 4 must earn less than $40,793 (reduced) and $28,665 (free) annually.
• The CdA School District currently has 9667 students.
• 37% or 3574 are currently receiving free lunch—which means that a family of 4 has an annual income of less than $28,665.
• Many of these 3574 students do not have access to a dependable food supply while not in school.
• The District Office has identified 200 homeless students this year.

The Backpack Program History:

• Founded in 1995 through Feeding America.
• It has fed 1000’s of students across American since it’s start.
• Based on the CdA School District numbers, our community has a substantial need.

Key Elements of the Backpack Program:

• Benefits school age children who live below the poverty line and often do not have any food source during weekends and holiday vacations.
• Children are identified by school staff and asked if they wish to participate in the program.
• Each Friday, children are sent home with a non-descript bag filled with non-perishable, child friendly, nutritious food for the weekend.

History in Kootenai County and goals of The Backpack Program:

• In November, 2010, the Pilot Program began at Lakes Middle School.
• The Backpack Program will provide students with the most basic need:  FOOD
• Without proper nutrition, students are less likely to perform well in the classroom and on state mandated tests
• Programs, such as the Backpack Program, help to alleviate some of the pressure put on families
• Children should not be forced to suffer because parents are unable or unwilling to provide for them
• Will  keep kids in school
• Better community/less crime

If you are interested in learning more about The Backpack Program, please visit their Facebook page.

One lucky recognized non-profit organization will receive $5,000 to serve the Coeur d'Alene community!

If you are interested, please fill out our Large Grant Request form and return it to us no later than Wednesday, May 18th.

Grant request forms must be received by us by Wednesday, May 18th. We're sorry, but Grant Request forms post marked by May 18th, but not received by that date, will not be accepted.

You can feel free to email your grant request, or (if you prefer) to provide us with paper copies. If you give us paper copies, you must include 7 copies (one each for our Board members). You can mail them to our Post Office Box.

Our Board of Directors will review them and decide the recipient on Wednesday, May 25th. The winner will be notified with a phone call and announced here on cdakiwanis.org.

Thank you and good luck!

We are proud to let you know that March's charity of the month will be the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.

If you have a surplus of the following items laying around your home or office, please consider donating them to the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. Kiwanis Club members can bring these items to our March 30th meeting. Members of the community can feel free to email us and a club member will be happy to pick them up!

Here is the list of needed items for the the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County:

• Printer paper (lots)
• All in one Printer (their printer just died)
• Board Games
• Ping Pong Table
• Pool Table
• Pencils
• Erasers (pencil top or big erasers)
• Large dictionary
• Construction paper
• Nintendo Wii controllers (2)
• Kid friendly Wii games
• Graham Crackers (for snack)
• Pretzels
• Washable Markers
• Wal-mart gift cards for purchasing snacks / supplies
• Ritz crackers
• Glue sticks
• Elmer’s glue
• Storage bins
• Paint brushes
• Kid friendly Paint

Also, if you are not a member of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene and would like to be one, please visit our Membership page for more information!

To JOIN or DONATE to Team Layne, click image above.

This year's Relay for Life will be on June 10th and 11th and will take place at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds (map is below).

If you are interested in joining Team Layne, or in donating to our team on Layne's behalf, please visit our team page on the Relay for Life website.

Very soon you will be able to find Key Club activities and news from our friends who serve their school and their community. Feel free to visit the LCHS Key Club page on our website to learn more.

And, if you would like to learn more about Key Club, you can also visit Key Club International.