BackPack program expanding at Central Elementary School

From staff reports

Students in Franklin will have additional resources to help tide them over their weekends, as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania has announced an expansion of the BackPack program to Central Elementary School.

The first distribution will occur Friday, Jan. 17, and provide backpacks of food for up to 50 students each week through the end of the 2019-20 academic year.

“Data shows that hunger among children in Franklin is significant, as nearly three out of every four of students at Central Elementary receive free or reduced lunches,” said Karen Seggi, CEO of Second Harvest.

“We want to make sure every child has enough food so that hunger is not a distraction to them, and the BackPack program helps us address their needs,” Seggi said.

The BackPack program provides children in poverty with nutritious, child-friendly food necessary for overall growth, physical and cognitive development when other resources, such as school lunches and after-school meals or snacks, are not available.

Eligible students who sign up for the BackPack Program will receive enough food for multiple breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. A donation of $120 sponsors a BackPack for a child for one academic year.