During the month of November, the district received a $20,000 pledge donation towards its backpack program from a community-based organization titled 100 Women Who Care. With this current donation, the program will be able to increase opportunities for students to have access to healthy and nutritious food items throughout the calendar year, in addition to the summer months.
“We are so appreciative to have been selected to receive this impactful donation,”said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard DeMallie. “During this time, opportunities to support programs focused on providing food for students are at an all-time high. We continue to seek grant opportunities and additional donations, but this generous support will allow our district to expand the program, which in turn creates breathing room for families looking for support in keeping their children healthy and strong.”
Today, we met with FFCSD Social Worker and Backpack Program organizer Mrs. Capron. Learn how this impactful program allows students to receive access to food items throughout the school year.
How will this donation impact the backpack program? How many families will this affect yearly?
This donation will help us to continue to provide this program to families and not have to turn anyone away. In addition, it will allow us to expand our program to the summer months by offering food boxes for families or possibly running a summer meal program. We are also hoping to expand the selection of items we currently provide in our bags. Our program currently helps about 25 families (50 students).
How does the backpack operate to serve families in the district?
Our program provides weekly food bags for students every Friday for the entire school year. The bags include two breakfast items, two entrees, two fruits, snacks, and juice boxes. We provide additional items over long weekends, school breaks, and holidays. The program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children when other resources like school meals are not available. Any family in our district that feels they could use the support of our program are welcome to reach out to enroll their child.
How can the community continue to assist in supporting the backpack program?
Our backpack program is solely funded by donations and/or grants. The community can continue to assist in supporting our program through monetary or food donations. Typical wish list items for food donations include canned soup, macaroni & cheese, pasta, canned tomato sauce, peanut butter, jelly (plastic jars), single-serve cereal, granola bars, oatmeal, juice boxes, fruit cups, applesauce cups, and single-serve snacks.