BackPack Program includes Warren pupils

WARREN — Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley has expanded its BackPack Program to the Warren City School District.

As of Friday, 75 third-graders each in the Jefferson and Willard K-8 schools will take home food for the weekend through the BackPack Program, a collaborative effort between Second Harvest and Warren city schools to provide food to children most in need.

A press conference announcing the program will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Horace Mann site, 818 Austin Ave.

Funding for the program in Warren is provided by The Raymond John Wean Foundation. The Volunteer Services Agency will provide volunteers to fill the backpacks. Anyone interested in helping may call VSA at (330) 782-6171.

Second Harvest of the Mahoning Valley introduced its BackPack program in 2006 in the Campbell school district with 75 pupils. This year, the program was expanded to 150 pupils, Campbell officials said.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the BackPack Program may do so by sending a check to Second Harvest Food Bank, 2805 Salt Springs Road, Youngstown 44509. Donations of child-friendly food may be dropped off at the same location Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

alcorn@vindy.com