The new school year is just around the corner and area needy children need some help with their weekend meals.
A special program for schools in Mid-Missouri called the Buddy Pack program provides free backpacks filled with food to qualifying students.
More than 20 Mid-Missouri schools take part in the program including all 12 Jefferson City elementary schools.
Students get their backpacks on Fridays to supply them with nutritional weekend meals.
Students return the backpacks to their schools on Monday.
The cycle repeats itself throughout the school year.
Organizers said they are in desperate need of donations.
Central Missouri Food Bank spokesman Todd Pridemore said, “Even before Friday, during the week, they’re asking for their Buddy Packs because they are just simply hungry. Without that food to get them through the weekend, they are very malnourished. Those of us that are around children, we know how important nutrition is in their education process.”
You can check with your local school or the Central Missouri Food Bank to donate to the Buddy Pack Program.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG