Students from St. Elizabeth Catholic School are participating in a “backpack project” to help feed needy children who would otherwise have to go hungry all weekend.
This is the third year of the project and Immaculate Conception and St. Elizabeth Catholic churches partnered to make it happen.
While the backpack project is open to all schools in the community, only Booker T. Washington Elementary School has been receptive for the three years it has taken place. The relationship began when ladies from Immaculate Conception Church tutored students from Booker T. Washington Elementary School.
Twenty-five students from Booker T. Washington Elementary School receive the food each weekend.
Food donated includes Capri Sun, Yoo-hoo, other juices, ravioli, SpaghettiOs, Beanie-Weenie, Ramen noodles, fruit, applesauce, pudding, breakfast bars, Pop Tarts, and chips.
“It was 15 students last year,” said volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Brewer. “Now, it’s 25. People donate money and we buy some of this. Children at St. Elizabeth School donated during Christmas, brought the food for it. Also, every Thursday for mass, the children bring food and we put it up here.”
One class each week from St. Elizabeth Catholic School puts the food in the backpacks.
“We pack them every Thursday, bring them to the school and they give them to the children on Friday to bring home,” Brewer said.
“They’re always very excited to get the backpacks. She gets them in the office and hands them out to the children. They work with us very well.”
