Shenendehowa's Bountiful Backpack
Shenendehowa's K-12 Bountiful BackPack program is a partnership with the Regional Food Bank of NENY designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, especially on weekends. The program provides backpacks filled with food that is child-friendly, shelf-stable and easily-consumed.
We are immensely grateful for the dedication of the countless groups and individuals who make this program possible. The ongoing community and school support helped us to provide more than 6,300 backpacks full of food throughout the 2022-2023 school year.
$9.10 provides a weekends' worth of food for 1 child
$273 supports one child for a year
$4,095 supports 15 students for a year
Research has shown that a student's participation in the BackPack program helps improve attendance and academic performance while reducing disciplinary actions.
Backpack program details
How can you help with the backpack program?
Shenendehowa’s Bountiful BackPack program is funded entirely by local donations. The average cost of one backpack full of food is approximately $9.10. The cost to sponsor a child for a full school year is approximately $273.
To donate online:
● Go to www.RegionalFoodBank.net
● Click the “Donate Now” icon
● Enter the amount, donor information, etc.
● To designate the funds to Shenendehowa's program, be sure to: Choose "Children's Programs" in the dropdown menu. Then, in the Partner Agency textbox below, type Shenendehowa 1893B.
To donate by mail:
Fill out this form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X9_uT3KspICOGp-CZNV4-hs6e_v5-U6A/view
Make sure that your check specifies the Shenendehowa Bountiful BackPack Program
PLEASE MAIL TO:
Regional Food Bank of NENY
965 Albany-Shaker Road
Latham, New York 12110
Other ways to help:
We also accept gift cards to local grocery stores to supplement our backpacks with fresh items.
We can't Thank you enough!
Thank you to everyone's support during our school-wide Science and Health Discovery Night! Event attendees helped us raise $350 and donated 2 pallets of food!
Thank you to Stewart's Shops for its generous support through their holiday match program!
Thank you to Squadron 1450 Sons of the American Legion for their generous donation!
Thank you to Starpoint Church and its members for their generous donation to the program as part of their 20 year anniversary. Each month they have picked a worthy community organization. The BackPack program was selected as it meets a real need in our community providing food for kids over the weekend.
To sign up or qualify for the Bountiful Backpack Program
Students are typically referred to the program by the school counselor. If you are a parent looking to participate in the program or a community member who knows of a child or children who may be in need, please contact the school counselor, the school principal or the Director of Policy and Community Development Rebecca Carman (518) 881-0611.