Food Helpers’ Little Moochi tackles healthy nutrition, food insecurity in school districts; Food Helpers plans first annual Taste Tour of Washington County to help fund program
In the Southpointe CNX location of Food Helpers on a recent Friday, nearly three dozen volunteers from Traditions of America at Southpointe laughed, chatted, and listened to music as they busily packed LittleMoochi snack bags for students that will be delivered to food insecure elementary school students in Washington County.
LittleMoochi is an app designed to teach healthy eating habits by having children feed a virtual “Moochi” pet, but it serves another purpose: It fills a gap for food insecure children in Washington County.
“Food insecurity is a major issue,and (LittleMoochi) is a meaningful purpose,” said Lee Patouillet, of Traditions of America’s Acts of Kindness committee, whose members have become regular LittleMoochi snack bag packers. “If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, you know how important having healthy snacks is and you know that it is a real issue.”
Thirteen percent of children in Washington County – nearly 5,300 kids – are food insecure, according to Food Helpers’ operations director Athena Petrolias. There are about 1,429 children in the county that may not qualify for food assistance but are still food insecure.
“Food insecurity is real. I’ve seen it in upper middle class neighborhoods, I’ve witnessed it as a principal, as a teacher, as a substitute teacher, as a community member,” said Petrolias, a retired school administrator. “(LittleMoochi) was intended to be a nutrition app, but it addresses food insecurity.”
Food Helpers, a division of the Greater Washington County Food Bank, provides LittleMoochi packs for snacking at home to elementary students in 11 school districts in the county.
During the 2023-24 school year, Food Helpers delivered more than 63,000 of its healthy LittleMoochi supplemental snack packs to area schools.
This year, the program will deliver more than 12,000 bags of food to elementary school students monthly.
For local school districts, the program has made an impact.
Don Martin, director of Intermediate Unit 1, said school administrators cite food insecurity as a significant challenge.
“Food Helpers working with our schools and feeding our students is a huge gap that is being filled,” said Martin.
Avella Area School District was one of the first school districts to pilot the program, which serves Avella students in grades one through six.
“We’ve been very happy with it,” said Superintendent Cyril Walther. “The food bank does some fantastic things. Unfortunately, it’s a needed resource in our community, and we’re appreciative of their efforts to reach out and help those in need in our small, rural school district.”
Food Helpers’ Patrolias said community volunteers have been instrumental in the success of the program.
In three two-hour sessions – including the Friday morning session with Traditions of America volunteers – Food Helpers expected to pack 8,000 supplemental snack packs.
“The community has been great. I get emails from people asking, ‘When can we help pack?’ We have a lot of fun,” said Petrolias.
Among those helping to pack – loading bags with protein bars, shelf-stable yogurt, apple juice, and more – was Acts of Kindness member Ruth Volk.
“This speaks to my heart. To see hungry children breaks my heart. We are blessed, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back,” said Volk.
Food Helpers aims to expand its LittleMoochi snack program to other districts in the county, and is seeking help to cover the cost of the program.
Food Helpers President and CEO George Omiros said the program cost $252,000 last year, and the cost to expand the program to all Washington County school districts is estimated at $540,000.
The organization will host Taste Tour of Washington County – Cuisine Around the World on Oct. 24 at the World Tent at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows from 6 to 10 p.m. to help raise funds.
The “epicurean adventure” will feature more than 25 restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries that will serve appetizers, entrees, desserts, pastries and beverages. Entertainment also will be provided.
Food Helpers teamed up with school districts in 2022 to introduce LittleMoochi to encourage healthy eating. When children eat a meal or snack, they feed their pet at the same time by taking a photo of what’s on their plate and uploading it to the app. The AI-powered LittleMoochi app recognizes millions of types of food and compares it to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition guidelines.
When kids eat wholesome foods – like those included in the snack bags – their Moochi becomes stronger, healthier, and happier. If they eat too many unhealthy foods and sugary snacks, Moochie doesn’t feel well and becomes unhappy.
As an incentive, children also receive points that they can use to “buy” clothes for their pets or items to decorate their Moochi’s home.
Studies show that hunger impacts children’s development and academic performance,
Said IU1’s Martin, “Events like the Taste Tour go a long way in raising money for our (LittleMoochi program), and the end result is feeding children.”
For information about the Taste Tour of Washington County and LittleMoochi, or to volunteer, visit foodhelpers.org/the-taste-tour-event or call 724-632-2190.