Averill Park students, staff and Regional Food Bank describe decade-long backpack and pantry program

District staff and partners on Thursday described Averill Park's decade-long backpack and pantry program, which provides weekend food for elementary, middle and high school students and relies on the Regional Food Bank, student workers and community donations.

Kate (district staff) and Megan Beauchamp, the elementary counselor who oversees the elementary backpack program, explained that the program began in 2015 at one elementary school and later expanded. Elementary backpacks (now bags) go home on Fridays and include breakfast items, entrees, milk or egg cards redeemable at Stewart's, bread or grain, fresh fruit most weeks, canned vegetables and, monthly, a full-size jar of peanut butter and jelly. Middle- and high-school students are offered a pantry-style option that gives them choice over items; about 30 students currently participate in the pantry program.

Tracy Ferlito described the program's hands-on class component: high school student workers pick up donated and purchased food, store and pack it, and deliver it to school buildings. Students and staff produce a short video explaining their work and noted community partners donate items such as Girl Scout cookie boxes and holiday donations. The program also benefits from about 75 district staff payroll-deduction donors and accepts gift cards and online contributions; donors should designate Averill Park on the Regional Food Bank donation page.

Why it matters: presenters said the program supports food security for families and provides a student-work opportunity that teaches logistics and service. The board received printed flyers with program statistics and instructions for donating.

Ending: No vote or policy action was requested; the presentation was informational and part of the superintendent's report.