The Canajoharie Central School District is seeking community support for its Weekend Food Bag Program, an initiative that helps ensure students experiencing food insecurity have access to meals when school is not in session.
Operated in conjunction with the Regional Food Bank, the program currently serves 30 students and families by providing bags filled with child-friendly, non-perishable foods each Friday throughout the school year. The food helps bridge the gap between Friday's school lunch and Monday's breakfast, ensuring participating students have access to nutritious meals over the weekend.
For many students, the end of the school week is a welcome start to two days of rest and family time. For others, it can bring uncertainty about where their next meals will come from. The Weekend Food Bag Program was created to address that need and provide students with the nourishment necessary to return to school healthy, focused, and ready to learn.
The program, also known as the BackPack Program, is designed specifically for children who may not have reliable access to food outside of school. Bags are packed each week by school staff and volunteers and are discreetly distributed to participating students on Friday afternoons.
The cost to provide the program currently averages $289 per student each year. With 30 students enrolled, the annual cost exceeds $8,600, and district officials note that rising food costs could increase that figure in the coming years.
Organizers say every donation, regardless of size, helps make a difference. A small contribution can help provide food for a student over a weekend, while larger gifts can help sustain the program throughout the school year.
To donate go to: give.regionalfoodbank.net/fundraiser/7527651
Those with questions about the program or who would like more information can contact Lindsey Hodge, LMSW, District Social Worker, at lindsey.hodge@canjo.org or through ParentSquare.
Through the continued generosity of the community and the support of the Regional Food Bank, district leaders hope to keep the Weekend Food Bag Program available for students who rely on it throughout the school year.