A Community Effort to Combat Food Insecurity
Every Monday, a dedicated team of volunteers gathers at Lufkin ISD to support the Second Sacks initiative, an effort led by Second Helpings. This program focuses on packing weekend meals for students, ensuring they have access to nourishing food when school is out. The volunteers rotate weekly, and at the forefront of this operation is Susan Newcomer, who has been involved for the past three years.
Newcomer, a former nutritionist for the school district, explained her motivation: “I had some free time, and I knew this was for a good cause. It is needed in our community.” She noted that the need for such programs has only grown since the 1990s, when she first recognized the importance of addressing food insecurity among students.
According to Becca Chance, a board member of Second Helpings, approximately 80% of students in the district face food insecurity. This issue has prompted the expansion of the Second Sacks program, which now serves every school in Lufkin ISD. Last year, the initiative supported three schools, and before that, two. The change came after the Christian Information Service Center ended its weekend meal program, though it has since resumed.
The program currently packs over 600 sacks per week for primary and elementary students. Lufkin Middle School contributes 200 sacks weekly, while Lufkin High School adds 250. The high school pilot program concluded at the end of the 2024-25 school year, but the success of the initiative has led to broader implementation.
Counselor Sherrie Chesser shared how the program has impacted students. Before Second Sacks, teachers like Chesser would do what they could to help. “I keep snacks in my office all the time if I have a kid that needs a snack at any time of the day for whatever reason, growing boy or just in need,” she said. Now, with the program in place, students can access meals more consistently.
Non-perishable items such as shelf-stable milk, cereal, sandwich crackers, and nutrition bars are donated to both middle and high schools. Students then pack the sacks, an experience that can be eye-opening for some. “For them to see the awareness that it’s here in your backyard,” Chesser explained. “You probably know many of the kids who are grabbing the bags, but you probably don’t know their situation.”
Chesser mentioned that a list of students is maintained to ensure they receive a sack on Fridays. However, the program also provides meals to other students who may not be on the list. “There are students who may need help but they’re unaware of who they are,” she said. “By being able to just go through and pick up a snack and see that everyone else is doing it as well, it doesn’t weigh so heavy on them.”
Chance emphasized the financial commitment required to sustain the program. With a yearly budget of $187,000, it costs about $200 to feed one child for the school year. The initiative relies on grants and community donations. “There is a real need in our community, and we are just really fortunate and very blessed that God has allowed this opportunity, and he continues to provide,” she said. “As long as he provides, we’re going to continue serving the students.”
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