STRUTHERS, Ohio - Second Harvest Food Bank is expanding a food assistance program for Valley children.
The Back Pack program already serves more than 350 children at schools in Campbell and Warren. Now thanks to a generous donation, the program is reaching young students in Struthers.
It's Friday afternoon, and before heading home 75 children at Struthers Elementary School receive a back pack of food. Seventy percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced meals, but that resource goes away on weekends.
"This program will enable these students to have something to eat over the weekend, that otherwise may not have anything to eat at home," said Becky Miller of Second Harvest.
Each back pack contains kid friendly food items with a focus on nutrition. The new program at Struthers is thanks to a donation of 67-thousand dollars from the SJK Fund, a component of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.
"We're very thrilled to once again be a part of the Back Pack program. We previously were a part of the Campbell Elementary School and we're thrilled to have the opportunity, through the SJK fund, to bring it to Struthers Elementary School.
School Principal Margaret Kowach shared a story about one second grader when he received his first back park. "He was so thankful, he said this is really going to help my mom and dad," Kowach said.
A total of 375 valley children now take part in the back park program, which is a national program of Feeding America. The donation by SJK will support the Struthers program for three years.
