Badger Backpack Program |
There are many students in the School District of Niagara that go home on weekends and holidays with not enough, if any, food to get through these days. While we already provide lunch and breakfast for these children, we are unable to provide for them while they are not at school. Until now. We need your help to fill our Badger Backpack Program. This is a program based on your donations to send food home with these children. Children will be given two breakfasts, two lunches and two snacks along with a can of fruit or vegetables to help reduce their hunger over the weekends and holidays.
You can help by making a donation of non-perishable food (mac and cheese, oatmeal packs, fruit cups, soup, etc.) or giving a monetary donation to the program. Your support is key in solving this problem.
Would you consider donating to help us achieve our mission?
We thank you in advance for your support! Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to buy food for our hungry students. You can either donate directly to the School District of Niagara, call us at 1.715.251.4541 x 105
Sincerely,
Sarah Zychowski
Badger Backpack Program Coordinator
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Sarah Zychowski, Coordinator of the Niagara Schools’ Badger Backpack Program, appeared recently at a meeting of the Niagara Lions Club. A teacher at Niagara, Sarah started the program a couple of years ago when she realized there were many needy Niagara children who did not have enough to eat when school was not in session on weekends and holidays. According to Sara, “Many students are identified as not receiving adequate meals on the weekends and holidays when school is not in session. In our district alone, 47% of our population meets the level of poverty. Badger Backpacks strives to bring students that are in need of nourishing and necessary meals the food that they would otherwise not receive. This would help equal the playing field and relieve anxiety and stress that comes with the worry of where their next meal would come. Badger Backpacks minimizes the stress put on families to provide adequate meals to their children through the weekends and long breaks during the school year.” Now in its third year, the program serves a growing number and now 28-35 families receive help from the program on a weekly basis. In addition to providing weekly food, under Sarah’s direction the program has expanded to have everything from food, clothing, toothbrushes and shoes. Each week students receive enough breakfast, lunch, snacks and fruits/vegetables to get them through the weekends and holidays. In conclusion, Sarah noted that “We believe it is important for students to have access to reading materials in the home. Each student also receives a book every week to support reading in the home.”
As an outcome of Sarah’s talk with the Lions, the club unanimously agreed to donate $500.00 to help support the Niagara Badger Backpack Program. For those interested in also contributing, you may help by making a monetary donation or a donation of a non-perishable food item (such as mac & cheese, oatmeal packs, cans of fruit or vegetables, or similar food items. Donations should be made to the Niagara School District. For more information, call 1-715-251-4541 Ext. 105.
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Former Packer, George Koonce mesmerized his audience at the M&M Area Community Foundation Tailgate Fundraiser on Thursday, September 14. The football great, and doctor, described life during and after football, as he shared the important life lessons he learned throughout his journey.
“As our only fundraiser of the year, we work hard to provide a worthwhile, entertaining event for our guests,” said Barb Peterson, MMACF Board President. “Koonce was a perfect featured speaker and his message paired well with other messages relayed throughout the evening about the need to give back.”
Sarah Zychowski, a Paraprofessional at Niagara Schools, gave an impassioned speech about poverty, right here in our own backyard. “Because of a $5,000 grant from the M&M Area Community Foundation, families in the Niagara School District are able to participate in Badger Backpacks, a food program that sends food home each weekend,” she said. “One little guy told me because of our program he ‘doesn’t feel starving anymore.’ That’s a big word for a little kid – STARVING.”
“Our fund holders’ desire to give back come in all shapes and sizes,” said Paula Gruszynski, MMACF Executive Director. “We pride ourselves on the partnerships we’ve built to design a plan that helps each one of them accomplish their goals.”
People’s generosity is always appreciated and no gift is considered to be too small. Whether an individual wishes to donate $5 or $50,000, MMACF’s endowed funds ensure there will always be financial resources available to meet the community’s needs. The Community Foundation works to match a person’s interests with a nonprofit organization, which addresses that particular cause.
Community members interested in giving back are encouraged to contact the MMACF at 906-864-3599.
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