Submitted article
The Bucyrus Backpack Program was one of 60 backpack food programs across America to be selected to receive a grant from the Sodexo Foundation. The one-time award of $1,000 was given to each of the 60 programs to help provide food for children in need.
Since its inception in 2009, the Bucyrus Backpack Program has grown in many ways. It is now a stand-alone 501c3, which gives businesses, individuals and other charitable organizations the opportunity to donate directly to the program.
“We are very grateful to be chosen as one of 60 programs from across the United States to receive a grant from the Sodexo Foundation,” Bucyrus Program Board of Directors President Lorie Pennington said. “This was a competitive grant that we applied for months ago, and the funding could not come at a better time for our program.”
In addition to “growing up” as an organization, the number of students served by the program has increased. Presently, the program provides more than 160 bags of food to help meet the nutritional needs of Bucyrus children during the weekends.
“With the participation growth we’ve experienced the past five years, we are in need of more help than ever before,” Pennington said. “Besides monetary and food donations, which is always needed and very welcomed, we also need volunteers from the community to step forward and help pack the bags every week. The volunteers are the key to our entire program. Without those individuals, we couldn’t successfully serve the nutritional needs of as many students as we do today.”
If you are interested in volunteering to help the Bucyrus Backpack Program, or would like to make a charitable contribution, please contact Lorie Pennington at 419-562-5355 or email lpennington@bucyrusschools. Additional information about the Backpack Program can be found by visiting www.bucyrusschools.org/students-and-parents/backpackprogram.html.