(by Don Meador)
The Allen County Schools Family and Youth Service Centers’ Backpack Program accepted a $25,000 gift from the Elizabeth Turner Campbell Foundation (ETCF) this week that will help officials continue to provide food items to needy students across the Allen County School District. The Foundation donated $25,000 to the program---funds that are earmarked for families this holiday season and that will benefit the program into the new year.
“The Backpack program is really wonderful,” explained Dana Spencer, Board Member for the Foundation. “We wanted to help organizations locally and this is something we felt like is needed.”
Allen County School’s Director of Pupil Personnel Trey Harper is quick to note that the Backpack Program offers families a much-need service.
“The Backpack Program is so needed for so many families,” Harper said. “But, I don’t think people realized what a costly program this is. We are thankful for this donation and all the local organizations which make donations.”
The Backpack Program is overseen by FRYSC personnel. Students needing extra food items for weekends and school breaks are identified by the FRYSC. Typically, backpacks are filled with food items on Friday’s for students to pick up before the end of the school day. This service helps students have nutritional food items to eat on the days school is not in session. The students return the backpacks on Mondays with the process repeated each week during the school year.
Harper adds that the ETCF donation comes at a time of the year that will allow families to have a little something extra for Christmas and the forthcoming two week break from classes.