What is the Backpacks For Friends Program?
This is a program initiated by the Marlboro Central School District, with support from the local community. This program is focused on ensuring that students have nutritious food when school is out.
How does the Backpacks For Friends Program work?
Breakfast, lunch, and a snack is provided to the participating students for each day of the weekend or school break. The child-friendly food is confidentially placed in backpacks by school staff.
Who can participate in the Program?
This program is available to students enrolled in grades K-12 in the Marlboro Central School District.
Who should enroll in the Program?
If it is a struggle to provide three meals a day because of financial hardship, please consider enrolling your child. If your child is already enrolled in the reduced-price or free meal program at school, please consider enrolling your child to help provide nutritious meals on weekends. Or if your child would benefit from consistent nutritious food on weekends, please consider enrolling your child. No financial documents are required to enroll.
What does the food pack contain?
Food packs contain child-friendly, single-serving, non-perishable items for breakfast, lunch, and snack each day of the school break. Some items may include cereal, instant oatmeal packets, microwavable pasta bowls, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, fruit cups, snack mixes, and pudding cups.
When will my child receive food?
Food packs are distributed on Fridays or the last day of school prior to a long weekend or school break.
Is the food for my family?
No, the food packs for intended to feed your child. Providing enough food for the entire family would exceed the safe weight a child should carry in their backpack.
Is there any cost for the food packs?
No, the packs are cost-free to those enrolled in the program.
Will anyone else know that my child is receiving food?
Only the program administrators and your child's teacher will know. Your child's teacher will discreetly place the food pack in your child's backpack.