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The
“Backpack Attack” aims to alleviate child hunger in our
community.
The
United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties has partnered with
North Country Food Bank and the Minnewaska school district
to develop a program called “Backpack Attack.” The mission
is to provide nutritional, child-friendly food for
low-income students over the weekend and school holidays.
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “Hunger
and nutritional deprivation, specifically during a child’s
developing years, results in:
•
Impaired physical growth, brain
development and
cognitive functioning
•
Long-term emotional and health
problems
•
Increased need for special
education
Ensuring proper nutritional health NOW
can
save millions of dollars in cost later
for
mental, social, and educational
services.
As a
result of the Backpack Attack program we hope to see long
term results which include but are not limited to improved
attendance, academic performance and test results.
Currently, this pilot program is serving 199 children in
Pope County at the Minnewaska elementary, middle and day
treatment schools. Each qualifying child is given a backpack
to be filled with child-friendly, nonperishable,
vitamin-fortified food for the weekend free-of- charge.
To
find out whether your child qualifies, contact Julie Reisch
at Minneswaska Elementary at 320-634-4567. If you would like
more information or would like to make a contribution to
this program, please contact Jessica Boyer at 320-763-4840.
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