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The initiative is a huge undertaking – from gathering sponsors to purchasing the food to filling the backpacks and delivering them to the campuses – it truly is a community effort to support students in need.
During the two-day event, Frenship students from the Superintendent's Student Advisory Board help sort and organize the food that is purchased with the help of the Rotary Club of Lubbock and various sponsors.
On day two, Willow Bend Elementary student council, Frenship administrators, and community volunteers spend several hours packing the backpacks. Frenship maintenance crews then help deliver the backpacks to Frenship campuses for students to take home during the holiday break.
“I’m really excited to be here and help volunteer,” said Willow Bend student council president and fifth grader Kambyl Jackson. “It feels good to be able to help my peers and serve and give back.”
Each backpack included a variety of shelf-stable and fresh items, such as canned fruits and vegetables, pasta meals, soups, rice, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, snacks, bread, oranges, and milk, providing the students with reliable meals while school is out.
As Frenship grows, so has the need with the number of backpacks increasing each year. This year, the number of backpacks increased to 600, up from the 500 packed last year.
“Sometimes our school breakfast and lunch are the only warm meals a child may receive that day. These students are about to be out for two weeks during the winter break, and we want to ensure they have food while at home,” said Superintendent Dr. Michelle McCord. “Seeing these volunteers and students help in that effort is inspiring and what Frenship is all about.”
Frenship ISD would like to give a special thank you to the Rotary Club of Lubbock and the many community partners who make this program possible:
- Rotary Club of Lubbock
- South Plains Food Bank
- Betenbough Homes
- First Baptist Church
- Reese Technology Center
- Parkhill
- South Plains Electric Cooperative
- Prosperity Bank
- Xcel Energy
- BGR Architects
- Peoples Bank