Oswego Lions Support Blessings In A Backpack

by Contributor | April 23, 2015 6:30 am

OSWEGO, NY The Oswego Lions Club recently had Melissa Russell and Beth Hallinan speak at a meeting  about Blessings in a Backpack.

In Oswego County, more than 79% of children are income-eligible for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program.

During the school week, more than 50% of children at both Leighton and Fitzhugh Park schools are fed Monday through Friday by this program.

But what do these children eat on the weekends?

Blessings in a Backpack is a volunteer organization that provides food for elementary school children who may otherwise have little or no food to eat on the weekends during the school year.

They stated that $80 ($2.10 per week) will provide meals for one child, for the 38 weekends of the school year.

At present, they feed 100 children; 50 in Leighton School and 50 in Fitzhugh Park School.

The schools determine which students will receive the backpack.

Every Friday, students receive their backpack (now in a grocery bag) with staples that will require little or no preparation, for their weekend meals.

In addition to feeding these children, they have found that this has also helped to increase attendance, and kids return on Monday, ready to learn.

With your support, “Blessings in a Backpack” can continue to feed these needy children.

If you would like to donate to this organization, or would like more information, visit www.Blessingsinabackpack.org or contact Melissa Russell, Program Coordinator at [email protected] or call 315-343-1896 or 315-297-7802.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/oswego-lions-support-blessings-in-a-backpack/

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