By Lance Patterson
Kids First
Fall. Family. Football. Cooler weather and good food. That’s what comes to mind when November rolls around. It’s the season of my favorite holiday—Thanksgiving. A time when my family gathers to play games, watch football, and eat way too much. These moments are core memories for me, and I hope I’m passing them on to my kids.
But not every child in our community gets to experience that kind of warmth and abundance.
Right here in Reno County, 1 in 5 children face food insecurity. That means way too many kids in our neighborhoods are unsure where their next meal will come from. It’s a quiet crisis—but one that echoes loudly in the lives of the youth we serve at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson.
At the Club, we believe no child should have to choose between going hungry and going to school ready to learn. That’s why we integrate nutrition into everything we do—from programs that teach smart food choices to Triple Play, which combines physical activity, nutrition education, and social-emotional wellness.
But we’re not just teaching kids about healthy eating—we’re feeding them and showing them how to cook. Every day after school and throughout the summer, we provide meals and snacks to hundreds of youth. For many, it’s the most nutritious food they’ll eat all day. We also teach them how to prepare meals at home and practice proper etiquette at the dinner table. In some cases, we send items from our food pantry home to support their families.
This isn’t just a Club issue. It’s a community issue. Hunger affects academic performance, mental health, and long-term success. When kids are hungry, they can’t focus. They can’t grow. They can’t thrive.
We’re proud of the partnerships being built—with the United Way of Reno County, local schools, the City of Hutchinson, Dillon’s, and the Reno County Food Bank—organizations that share our vision of a hunger-free future.
I’m proud to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Food Bank of Reno County. The Food Bank is currently working on an exciting campaign to expand its capacity. We have hired a full-time Executive Director, purchased a larger building, and are now fundraising to renovate the space to serve more people and connect them to critical resources. To learn more about this project, visit www.foodbankofrenocounty.org or reach out to Angela Penner at angela@foodbankofrenocounty.org.
As the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson celebrates 35 years of impact, we’re not just looking back—we’re looking ahead. We envision a future where every child in Reno County has access to the food, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. But we can’t do it alone.
Here’s how you can help:
•Advocate for continued funding of programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which help provide valuable afterschool programming.
•Donate to the United Way, local food banks and youth organizations on the front lines of this fight.
•Volunteer your time or talents to organizations working to increase access to food.
•Vote for policies and leaders who prioritize child nutrition and education programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, summer meals program or the Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant program.
Food insecurity is a challenge—but it’s one we can meet together. Let’s fight hunger. Let’s fuel futures.
Lance Patterson is the Chief Executive Officer at Boys and Girls Clubs of Hutchinson. He can be reached at lpatterson@bgchutch.com