Bread of Life has been awarded a grant of $8,060 from The Foundation Trust to sponsor Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program in Everett.
To address a growing need for nutritious food for school-age students, Bread of Life distributes backpacks filled with food to Everett students on a regular basis each month. Bread of Life works with school principals and guidance counselors who identify students struggling with poverty and food insecurity and distribute the backpacks. Backpack Items include snacks, juice boxes, crackers, peanut butter and other non-perishable food items. Bread of Life also provides blankets, gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers, towels, toothbrushes and other supplies as needed. Over 1,200 backpacks have been distributed to date. Funds from The Foundation Trust will enable Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program to grow to serve more students in need.
“The food needs of low-income students are not always obvious”, stated Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, Bread of Life’s Executive Director. “Earlier this year, a school administrator shared that a K-8 student was waiting a long time to be picked up by his parents. After about two hours, two of his older siblings arrived to take him home. They shared that both of their parents worked and had been unable to come. As the kids walked out of the school, the little boy fainted. The school staff came to find out that not only had the boy not eaten properly that day, but he was actually malnourished. For Bread of Life to be able to provide food to hungry students in need, our partnership with The Foundation Trust is invaluable. We are truly grateful for The Foundation Trust’s commitment to ensure children are well nourished through their generous sponsorship of this much needed program for Everett students.”
“At a time when low-income Everett students and the community need them most, Bread of Life has really stepped up in a way that addresses not only food insecurity, but students’ academic readiness as well,” commented Lauren Liecau, Manager of the Foundation Trust. “Elevating at-risk youth is core to the Foundation Trust’s work, so we are honored to support the Backpack Nutrition Program throughout this school year.”
Olga, a parent of a student who received a backpack, expressed her appreciation to The Foundation Trust and Bread of Life, “We are grateful for the extra food that helps our family.”