The Northlands Rescue Mission is launching a “Back the Pack” drive this week to ensure that children who are eligible for the Backpack Program in Grand Forks public schools do not go hungry on the weekends this school year.
Food items or monetary donations may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., daily through Thursday, Sept. 2, at the Alerus Center’s south entrance, Door 1. A list of recommended food items is available online at
www.northlandsmission.org
.
The Backpack Program has been serving students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch in five elementary schools in the Grand Forks school district. The Back the Pack drive will allow the Mission to expand the Backpack Program to eligible students in all public elementary and middle schools in the district.
Families that qualify for free and reduced-price lunches need to register with the school district for the Backpack Program, which is expected to restart in mid- to late-September, according to Korrine Nadeau, Backpack Program and volunteer coordinator.
If every child who’s eligible to enroll does enroll, 122 totes, each containing 18 bags, would need to be delivered to the schools each week, Nadeau said.
A host of churches, businesses and organizations provide volunteers who help with packing and distribution, but, with this expanded effort, many more volunteers are needed and the time commitment is flexible -- even to include evenings, she said.
For more information, contact Nadeau at the Mission, (701) 772-6600, or go online to
www.northlandsmission.org
.
1/5: Volunteers from Greenberg Realty company pack bags of food items for Grand Forks elementary school kids to eat on the weekend as part of the Backpack Program, operated by Northlands Rescue Mission, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Northlands Rescue Mission)
2/5: Volunteers from the Crary Homes & Real Estate company stuff bags with food items for elementary school kids to eat on the weekend, as part of the Northlands Rescue Mission's Backpack Program, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Northlands Rescue Mission)
3/5: Volunteering for the Backpack Program, these American Crystal Sugar Company employees pack bags of food items for kids to take home from elementary school on the weekend, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Northlands Rescue Mission)
4/5: Volunteers from the Sertoma service club pack totes with bags of food for kids to take home for the weekend, as part of the Backpack Program at the Northlands Rescue Mission, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Northlands Rescue Mission)
5/5: Employees of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company take a break from fillings bags for kids' weekend meals and snacks as part of the Backback Program at the Northlands Rescue Mission, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Northlands Rescue Mission)
Pamela Knudson is a features and arts/entertainment writer for the Grand Forks Herald.
She has worked for the Herald since 2011 and has covered a wide variety of topics, including the latest performances in the region and health topics.
Pamela can be reached at pknudson@gfherald.com or (701) 780-1107.
