Matt Germain, showing some of the desserts offered at the Quart House. (Caloosa Belle/Amanda Nelson)

No child should ever be hungry. That is the mission of Operation Backpack in the Hendry-Glades area. It has also become the mission of Bryan and Cindi Beer, and Matt Germain, owners of The Quart House in LaBelle.

In 2012, a group of concerned citizens noticed that many area students were coming to school on Monday’s hungry from not having enough food at home during the weekend. This sparked the formation of the Operation Backpack committee. Their main goal was to provide families with hope and a weekend supply of snacks and meals. What started off as a summer assistance program has blossomed into a weekly blessing for many families. With the help of volunteers from various community organizations, Operation Backpack is completely funded by donations from businesses and individuals that recognize their passion and the need for this program to help feed our community’s children.

After learning about this community service, The Quart House crew immediately began brainstorming ideas of ways they could help. That’s when the trio developed a plan. The Quart House would donate one dollar from the sale of every single dessert sold during the month of August. Matt noted that “people have been coming in and donating extra money because they know it’s for a good cause.” He is humbled by how supportive the community has been.

Matt also explained that people don’t even have to come into the restaurant and eat an entire meal. “It’s as easy as ordering by phone or online (www.toasttab.com/the-quart-house) and picking it up at the drive-thru window”, he stated.

Operation Backpack serves LaBelle Elementary, Country Oaks Elementary, Upthegrove Elementary, LaBelle Middle School, LaBelle High School and West Glades School. For further information about this program, please contact Donna Hull, Operation Backpack Director, at 863-234-1564 or Matt Germain at 863-674-7141.