Petersburg School Backpack Program Provides Weekend Meals to Children
The Salvation Army Petersburg Corps Gives Children In Need Weekend Meals
In the Southeast Alaskan coastal community of about 3,000 residents, a meal can really make a difference in a child’s life. For the past five years, The Salvation Army Petersburg Corps has been meeting the needs of local youth with the Weekend Backpack Program. The program provides children in need with meals to last them through the weekend while they are away from school.
The Salvation Army started the program after a local school counselor, who was also a local Rotarian, expressed the need of food during the weekend for some of the students whose parents struggle financially. As it is The Salvation Army’s to be there where help is needed, local corps leaders sought and secured the funding to support the initiative.
The Weekend Backpack program provides children, who are referred by Petersburg local school counselors, the meals needed to help them through the weekend. The meals provided consists of three breakfasts and snacks and two microwaveable lunches and dinners. Each year, students tell counselors how the backpack food has helped them and makes a difference in their lives.
“This year my heart was truly touched and gave our Corps a renewal on why we do this meal program for the youth,” said Major Loni Upshaw, Petersburg Corps Officer. “A first-grade teacher shared with me that when we started the new year in September one of the little girls in her class opened her food sack with meals for the weekend and was so excited that she would have food to eat this weekend. When one life is touched in such a way, the money, the work is all worth it.”
Each year, the number of children receiving meals from the backpack program grows by a few and the need is met through community supporters and grants. This year, a local grant that supported the program took a one-year hiatus, but community supporters quickly filled the need.
“Donations to keep this going are always needed, but when I didn’t get the grant this year, I explained to the Corps that God will provide the funds we need to be faithful and continue to meet the needs of our youth,” said Major Upshaw. “God provided us with wonderful help from community members and I know God will continue to provide.”