In Minnesota, over 50% of those using emergency feeding programs are children. At Highland Elementary School alone, the number of children receiving free or reduced lunch has increased from 34% to 49% in the last 3 years. Typically, most children whose families are struggling don’t eat well when school is not in session. The BackPack Program helps address this issue. As part of this program, children receive a bag filled with nutritious, kid friendly food on a Friday or on the last day of school prior to a holiday. This provides the children with enough food to get them through the weekend, until school is in session again.
The estimated cost of running this program at Highland Elementary School during the 2010/2011 school year is $7,750.00. If we can raise enough funds to cover half of the cost of the program, the United Way of Crookston has generously agreed to provide matching funds up to $3,875.00 to cover the remainder of the cost.
We still need your help to fund this program. There couldn’t be a more meaningful time than now to take a stand against hunger. No child should have to worry about whether or not they are going to be able to eat when they are not in school. Any contribution you can make will help ensure that no child in our community goes to bed hungry.
The estimated cost of running this program at Highland Elementary School during the 2010/2011 school year is $7,750.00. If we can raise enough funds to cover half of the cost of the program, the United Way of Crookston has generously agreed to provide matching funds up to $3,875.00 to cover the remainder of the cost.
We still need your help to fund this program. There couldn’t be a more meaningful time than now to take a stand against hunger. No child should have to worry about whether or not they are going to be able to eat when they are not in school. Any contribution you can make will help ensure that no child in our community goes to bed hungry.