Each school year begins with a flurry of activity for the ‘Backpacks-To-Go’ committee at Penn-Trafford School District. Along with enrolling students in the program, volunteers stay busy packing backpacks with food and school supplies and soliciting donations from the community.
Several groups stepped forward with donations in August and September.
Community Church (Harrison City, PA) donated backpacks, clothing, shoes, and school supplies to help students prepare for the first day of school.
Mason's Movement (https://www.masonsmovement.org/) donated backpacks and school supplies in memory of Mason Langford.
St. Barbara’s Church (Harrison City, PA) collected a generous donation of food and backpacks from middle school students participating in its ‘Camp Virtue’ summer camp.
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About the program: The Backpacks-to-Go Program was developed in response to the ongoing need of students who have no weekend access to the school breakfast and/or lunch program. Children who are enrolled in the program take home a backpack containing nutritious food on alternating Fridays. The food items can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the weekend. The program also provides food during the summer months when students are not in school.
Jackie Patrick (left) and Diane Yeargers (right) of the Community Church present school supplies to Backpacks-To-Go volunteer Lauren Traill
Volunteers from St. Barbara’s ‘Camp Virtue’ pack boxes with food and school supplies
Volunteers for Mason’s Movement sort donations and prepare backpack donations
Donations are staged at Penn-Trafford High School for packing and distribution