This upcoming year will be the sixth year that the Mannford Food for Kids Backpack Program has provided sacks of non-perishable items to students who are believed to be in need of food during the weekends. This is done because students do not have access to free and reduced lunches when not in school.
This year the organizers have set a goal of $28,000. Last year, donations were sufficient enough to provide 195 students with the sacks of food items. This upcoming year, they believe there will be 200 plus students in need of the assistance. During the program’s first year, there were 25 sacks sent home per week. So in just five years the number has increased dramatically.
Organizers stress that any amount of donation helps. Each time $140 is accumulated, one child is covered for the year. To donate, send checks to Mannford Food for Kids at PO Box 1511, Mannford, Ok. 74044. All donations are tax deductible and the food is used for local students only.