Since 2012, the Heatly Backpack Program, in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, has worked to reduce child hunger by discreetly providing students with backpacks filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food. Backpacks are sent home on Thursdays or Fridays to ensure students have access to food throughout the weekend.
The program is coordinated by Jean Weisenforth and Kim Watkins. Referrals may be made by teachers, parents, or other community members. Once a referral is received, families are contacted by the coordinators to discuss enrollment in the program.
The Backpack Program typically runs from the first week of October through June. Backpacks may be filled with additional items ahead of long weekends. Families are asked to return backpacks empty on Mondays so they can be refilled for the following week.
To maintain confidentiality, only the student’s classroom teacher is aware of participation. At this time, the Backpack Program serves elementary students. We are also excited to share that Heatly School has been accepted into the Pantry Program, which will allow middle and high school students to select groceries from the school pantry and take them home once per week.
Families interested in learning more or joining the program may contact Jean Weisenforth at jweisenforth@greenisland.org or Kim Watkins at kwatkins@greenisland.org, or reach out to their child’s classroom teacher, who can connect them with the program coordinators.