Averill Park highlights decade-long backpack food program; partnership with regional food bank secures supply through next year

The Averill Park Central School District told the board on July 9 that its elementary backpack food program, operated in partnership with the regional food bank, had a strong year and currently has enough funding from the food bank to continue into the next school year.

Administrators said the program started about a decade ago and has expanded from one site to all three elementary schools and into secondary programs. They reported 149 student requests for music scheduling needs earlier in the superintendent’s remarks as a separate item, and then presented program statistics for the backpack distribution and weekly enrollment in the elementary program.

The district said the food bank covers much of the operational and administrative cost; the district’s out-of-pocket cost is for the cost of food itself. Administrators reported a current fund balance (referred to in the meeting as the food bank’s “nest day”) of about $13,000 and an estimated annual program cost of roughly $9,000, which the administration said is sufficient to last through the next year under current usage patterns.

The superintendent thanked staff and volunteers by name for supporting the program, including Kate Dorigan, Megan Beauchamp, Caitlin Baker, members of the high school and middle school teams, and the transportation staff who help move and pack supplies.

Board members praised the program; one member said regional colleagues cite the Averill Park backpack program as a model for other districts. Administrators said the district will continue outreach for donations, maintain a payroll-deduction option for employees who wish to contribute and monitor funds during the year.