Q&A with Eric Thorson: Championing Hunger Relief and Community Support with Horizons and Kidzpacks

Eric Thorson has served as the Director of Horizons’ Food Services since 2021, while also assuming the responsibility of Volunteer Coordinator for both KidzPacks and Horizons. Eric is originally from Jacksonville, Ill., and understands the challenges in the Quincy community firsthand.

 “There were times when I was at school hungry, and there were times that I didn’t know what we were going to be having for dinner. Through it all, my parents did the best they could, but I’m thankful for the people who stepped up and started programs like these. So, my heart’s in it! Our mission, what drives the Horizon’s employees to do what we do, is to show the love of Jesus. As our guests come in, we greet them, and we don’t refer to our guests as consumers. We don’t refer to them as the homeless or the impoverished. They’re our guests! When we open our doors, we invite them in and the same with KidzPacks. We do it out of love. We do it because we don’t want any child to go hungry.”

KidzPacks is a program that relies solely on donations and volunteers. Understanding why it is needed makes its benefits much more significant.

“Not too long ago, I had the privilege to meet the couple who started the program and to hear the backstory behind it,” said Eric. “A child in one of the elementary schools was caught stealing food because he didn’t have any food at home. This raised serious concerns and highlighted the need for assistance. Originally, each organization, church, and group handled a different school. It wasn’t until later that it consolidated into KidzPacks, serving all the schools under one umbrella.”

What is the particular need that Horizons and KidzPacks aim to fulfill?

KidzPacks:

“KidzPacks is tailored specifically to the schools during the school year for school aged children, elementary and early childhood kids. KidzPacks is the weekend feeding program. Last year, we served nearly 1200 kids each week through the months of September through May.”

Horizons:

“We provide a food pantry twice a week, Sundays and Wednesdays. We have started a new operation on Mondays with the food pantry and we have a co-op where we invite our guests in to volunteer for a couple of hours. After the end of those hours, they get to pack a box and take it with them.”

‘We also serve meals 6 days a week and we need to make sure that we have the ingredients needed to serve those meals 6 days a week.”

When can someone volunteer and what is needed for KidzPacks or Horizons?

KidzPacks:

The KidzPacks program begins the first week of September and runs through May. During the first week of September people and groups can start volunteering. The schools identify the children that are eligible and give us a number to work from.

The children are identified by the ones who qualify for a free or reduced meal through the school program. At the beginning of the school year, we send a letter with those children and if the parent chooses, they can send the letter back and opt out of the program. Very few of those letters come back. There’s always a need of more volunteers and having a few extra folks to help packing.”

Horizons:

“There are always open dates. We generally have two shifts that come in from

9 to 11 that help us prep the meal. Then, 11:30 to 1:30, they help serve the meal and clean up. We also do a Sunday meal from 2:30 to 6:30 where volunteers come to prep, service, and cleanup.

Are there any days or times throughout the year that you need extra volunteers for Horizon or kidzPacks?

KidzPacks:

“Absolutely! Anytime that school is out for an extended period, we do a double pack, which is spring break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas break. We try to give double the amount of what we would normally give. I think last year, it ended up being a 3-week pack for Christmas because they were out for almost a full two weeks. A normal packing contains twelve items. They get two breakfast items, two lunch items, and two snack items. When making a double pack, they’re getting eighteen items. For those times, we set things up a little different than a normal week because of the amount of people it takes to pack the bags in a timely manner.”

“We also have a need for 5th Thursdays. When there’s five Thursdays in a month, we don’t necessarily have a group for that one. We do a fill in on that week. That happens two, maybe three times a year. It just depends on how the days fall.”

Horizons:

“We try to prepare our guests for the holidays, and we generally do bigger meals around Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have groups of volunteers who will come in and help us get ready and prep for that. We generally serve around 200 folks a day. On a holiday, we usually serve 300 plus, and we do a good job!”

How many volunteers do you have? How many groups?

“We have four groups that volunteer most of the year. We have a lot of other groups that we work within the community to fill in. If there’s a larger group or a day tailored specific to a larger pack, I like to combine groups.”

Where and what time does KidzPacks meet every week?

“We pack the bags at Baldwin School on Thursday evenings, starting at 5:00 p.m.  We meet at door number 8, which is at the backside of the school, towards the playground. I’m generally there by 4:30 to make sure everything’s set up and ready to go. Most of our volunteers are there and packing by 5 o’clock.”

If somebody cannot volunteer, what is another way they can help support KidzPacks or Horizons?

 KidzPacks:

“Financial donations are always welcome, but if that’s not something that people are able to do, we also appreciate canned goods.”

 Horizons:

“There’s not really a whole lot that we don’t take as far as food goes. If it’s something you’re not sure that we could use or not, bring it in, and we’ll decide.”

Is there an age limit for volunteering?

“Absolutely! Ages ten and up and able to be by themselves. If the child is under 10, then they need to be with a parent. We try to steer three and under away because it’s hard for a parent to be able to be helpful and watch a young child. We do encourage young children to come and help.”

Horizons:

“We’ve had Quincy Public Schools students who come in quite often and volunteer. We’ve also had the Catholic school students who come in during their service week. We’ve had youth groups that come in from all different schools. When they come in, they come in as a drove, and it can be kind of hectic, but at the end of the day, everything gets cleaned, and everything gets done for the meal.

KidzPacks:

“I haven’t had much interest with the KidzPacks from students. I think that’s just a lack of opportunity. Many times, there’s sports and other activities that conflict with the time because when we pack, it is from 4:30 to about 6 o’clock.”

What’s the best way to sign up to volunteer?

“Either a phone call or email would be great. I can be reached by email at eric@horizonsquincy.com. The phone number is 217-224-5530, extension 2310 and either way it would bring you directly to me.”

Horizons’ building now features a stunning mural that embodies their dedication to artistic expression and ingenuity. What inspired this creative endeavor?

“As Horizons is rightfully named, it’s where God meets humanity. We are what that mural represents, which is the horizons of the rising sun and where God just reaches down and touches those who seek after him.”

Are there any goals or ideas you have for Horizons or KidszPacks that you wish to accomplish in the future?

“I would like to see us be out in the community more than the community coming to us. As far as KidzPacks and Horizons, as we move forward, our location is in a part of Quincy that needs our services. Having an opportunity to go out and meet more people in the community is hard. It would be nice to be able to reach and serve more of the community.”

What has been one of your achievements as working in Horizons and KidzPacks?

“I get to orchestrate people and to help people. That’s just one of the greatest feelings to know that the overarching accomplishment is we’re helping the community.”

If you would like to volunteer with KidzPacks, contact Eric by email at eric@horizonsquincy.com, or call 217-224-5530, extension 2310.

Donations for KidzPacks can be made online or you can drop off your donation at Horizons located at 224 S. 8th Street in Quincy.