Mountain Lion BackPack Program Director Amber Smith packs a bag of food at the Beale Avenue location.

Like many endeavors, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Altoona Mountain Lion BackPack program to pivot and change its food distribution plan.

Fortunately, for the 1,000 students it serves, the program continues to combat hunger thanks to many volunteers and community sponsors.

It takes an average of 35 volunteers each week to sort, package and provide drive-thru service to program participants, who come from eight elementary schools in the Altoona Area School District, Program Director Amber Smith said.

The program was founded 11 years ago by Heather and Jim Little of Altoona, and it later became part of the Blair County Community Action Program’s slate of services. As a nonprofit organization, the Mountain Lion BackPack Program relies on food donations from Altoona residents and many supportive businesses. Smith is in her fourth school year as program director.

The program is available to any child in need and doesn’t have any income guidelines.

“If a child is in need, the program is here to help them,” Smith said. “The program feeds an average of 1,000 elementary students each weekend during the school year from October to May.

“However, back in March when the pandemic started and school closed to go virtual, we knew we had to do our part to help the kids and continue to have food available to them. We have been distributing to those in need since then, even through the summer months.”

According to program statistics, one in four local children face hunger, Smith said.

So when schools closed and students turned to virtual learning, Smith had to reinvent how the food would be distributed. Now food bags are picked up at the warehouse, at Beale Avenue and 29th Street, and participating families drive through to receive food for weekend breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks for the weekend, Smith said. In addition to staples such as granola bars, raisins, ramen noodles, fruit cups, oatmeal, tuna, soup and peanut butter, the drive-thru allows for bigger items such as boxes of cereal instead of cereal bowls, for example.

“With pickup and the incredible support of the community through food donations, we have been able to provide kids with additional food and larger items that are usually too hard to send home in a regular food bag from school. Items like full boxes of cereal, several canned goods, spaghetti and sauce, and holiday meals,” Smith said.

So, that’s been a silver lining of sorts, according to Gloria Banks of Altoona who has volunteered with the program for many years.

“The looks on peoples faces — they are so grateful,” she said. “And I get to see the kids. I love to talk to the people and see them.” Like many volunteers, she’s found the giving goes in both directions.

“With not being able to do so many other things during the pandemic, I am glad I am able to keep doing this. It has helped me get through the pandemic because it is so worthwhile.”

Another longtime volunteer, Sue Slep of Altoona, said Smith has done an excellent job in changing the way food is distributed while continuing to raise funds and build relationships within the community.

“Amber’s very good at pulling it all together,” said Slep, who, as a retired teacher, saw hungry children in the classroom. She spoke highly of Smith.

“She does fundraising, rounds up volunteers and is very good with the business community in getting what is needed. She pools resources,” Slep said.

For the holiday break, Smith pulled supplies together for a complete holiday meal.

“She’s very organized and in that position you have to be,” Slep said.

Banks credits Smith’s excellent communication skills for getting the word out about distribution changes and working with school officials. Smith also has created more community involvement by having themed-donation weeks, such as a week when churches and organizations are encouraged to donate a specific item, such as soups.

“We appreciate all the support from the community,” Smith said. “I love working with the program volunteers and helping the kids.”

Residents and organizations who would like to help, can visit the program’s website at www.mountainlionbackpack

program.org/donate or mail donations payable to the Mountain Lion BackPack Program, 2301 Beale Ave., Altoona, PA 16601.

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.

The Smith file

Name: Amber L. Smith

Age: 36

Town: Altoona

Family: Parents, Sandra and Gordon Smith

Title: Program Director, Mountain Lion BackPack Program at Blair County Community Action Program

Education: Altoona Area Senior High School, Class of 2003; Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Multimedia and Web Design, 2003; Bachelor of Arts in Communications, 2007; Master of Education, Saint Francis University, 2013

Awards and honors: Altoona Mirror 20 under 40 for 2017

Community: Member Penn State Alumni Association and former member of the Penn State Altoona Alumni Society Board of Directors