‘The kids are important’ [Video]

AMHERST — The volunteer-led Weekend Food Program, part of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Amherst, has been operating for five years.

“We just kind of have it down to where we automatically know what works best,” said organizer Melinda Jordan.

“It takes my husband and I an hour and a half to do this,” she said. “Takes a lot longer than that when we go shopping.”

Each week, more than 100 food bags are put together. It features two breakfasts, two lunches, and snacks. Jordan said it costs $400 a week to purchase the necessary items, which include cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese and SpaghettiOs, among other things. Jordan said items change from time to time.

“Everything needs to be a pop top so it’s simple for the children to open themselves… microwavable,” Jordan said. “You know just things that are easy enough for them to take care of if there’s not a parent at home.”

The times fill a void on Saturdays and Sundays when …