Thanks to the generosity of a strong community collaboration of local businesses, organizations, district employees and local residents, some students in our district have been able to get over a high hurdle that significantly impacts learning and performance in the classroom:  Food Insecurity.

Every Friday afternoon, a thousand Schenectady students are each handed a backpack full of nutritious food to take home.  The recipients of these backpacks are students who would otherwise not have access to nutritional food over the weekend and would then show up for school on Monday morning, not only hungry and tired, but often anxious, agitated and even depressed.  Needless to say, most students who suffer from food insecurity do not show up ready to learn.

Approximately three years ago, when the program began, less than 100 families received backpacks.  Since then, thanks to the commitment and determination of so many, the program has continued to grow.

In order for us to continue to provide this support and to address the need to expand our reach to more families in need, we need additional sponsorship. 

The approximate cost to provide weekly backpacks for one child for an entire school year is $200.   One hundred percent of every contribution goes directly to providing food and filling the backpacks of our neediest elementary school students. 

If you are able, please support this important cause.  Any donation amount is accepted. 

You can mail your donation or make it online as follows:

• Payroll Deduction Authorization

• Mail a check to the Weekend Backpack Fund: 

Weekend Backpack Fund
c/o the Schenectady Foundation
376 Broadway, 2nd Floor
Schenectady, NY 12305

You can donate online from the Schenectady Foundation website: http://www.schenectadyfoundation.org/index/weekend-backpack-fund-15.html