Alpha Kappa Alpha Chapter Supports Grace Patterson Students With Weekly Snack Packs

For the past two years, Grace Patterson Elementary School's students in need have received weekly nutritional support through a partnership with the Kappa Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Since April 2023, chapter members have delivered 60 “CHIPP” bags each week—healthy snack packs provided through the Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP) Program. The effort helps combat food insecurity by ensuring students have nutritious food over the weekend when school meals are unavailable. The program has distributed more than 2,600 bags to students at the school.

Carolyn Logan, academic support provider at Grace Patterson Elementary, coordinates the initiative on-site. She has overseen the program since its inception and works alongside student volunteers who distribute the bags every Friday.

The partnership holds special significance for the sorority. Grace Patterson was the first African American teacher in the Vallejo City Unified School District and a founding charter member of the Kappa Beta Omega Chapter. In 1974, she and 15 fellow Alpha Kappa Alpha members established the Vallejo-based chapter to continue their legacy of service.

In recognition of Patterson’s legacy, the chapter planted a tree on the school grounds in 1977 and has actively supported local students and families. Today, Kappa Beta Omega includes 68 members and is part of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s global network of more than 360,000 members.

The CHIPP program is part of the sorority’s international platform, Soaring to Greater Heights of Sisterhood and Service, under the initiative Empower Our Families. With food insecurity rising, the program addresses gaps in weekend nutrition while easing financial strain on families. Studies show access to regular nutrition improves academic performance, behavior, and cognitive development. The program is fully funded by Kappa Beta Omega members and operates throughout the school year, summer, and holidays.

Chapter President Suzanne Crutison, Vice President and Program Chair Kim Miller, and charter member and former VCUSD trustee Hazel Wilson recently visited the school to deliver CHIPP bags and reflect on the sorority’s continued commitment to Vallejo and VCUSD.

Kappa Beta Omega’s community service extends well beyond CHIPP. The chapter leads a youth leadership program at Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy. It regularly hosts mental health awareness events, financial literacy workshops, and environmental efforts like tree planting and electronic recycling. It also provides academic scholarships, organizes graduation celebrations, and mentors high school seniors through an eight-month debutante program culminating in the annual Fashionetta Debutante Ball each November.

For more than 51 years, the Kappa Beta Omega Chapter has honored Grace Patterson’s legacy by unwaveringly supporting Vallejo’s students, families, and community.