The Syracuse School District's food and nutrition expert is looking for the public's help in an ambitious program that literally puts food in needy kids' backpacks for the weekend.
Rachel Murphy says the Blessings in a Backpack program feeds kids who might go hungry between Friday and Monday. They collect donations of cash and food which are distributed to community partners who literally put nutritious and convenient foods into kids' backpacks on Friday to make sure they will have enough food to eat until school on Monday. Typically, they include 2 breakfasts, 2 entrees, and 2 snacks. The program has began with serving Delaware Elementary School with the help of a nearby church. Blessings in a Backpack has added 3 more schools - Franklin, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Seymour.
Murphy says anyone can call her office at 315-435-4207 to get information and find out where to drop off food donations. Visit the Blessings in a Backpack website to learn more about the program and/or make a cash donation.