Neighborhood Bridges describes growth in weekend-bag program and resource guide to Anthony Wayne board
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Summary
District social worker Becca Herkin and Neighborhood Bridges representatives told the board the district’s community resource guide and volunteer-run Neighborhood Bridges program have expanded to meet rising need, including a larger weekend food-bag program and growing volunteer subscriber list.
Becca Herkin, the district social worker, told the Anthony Wayne Local Schools Board that student and family needs in the district have grown and reviewed how the district links families to supports. Herkin said free-and-reduced-lunch eligibility in the district has risen from 11% to 17% during her tenure — partly because Medicaid now qualifies a household — and that the weekend food-bag program grew from 50 students in 2019 to about 137 students this year.
Herkin described the Anthony Wayne Local Schools Community Resource Guide — available on the district website and app — that lists food pantries, housing and utility assistance, elder-care and mental-health supports. She said the guide is updated annually and can be expanded if community members submit resources.
Amy Barrett and Anne Stevens of Neighborhood Bridges explained their volunteer-driven model: subscribers receive email posts when vetted needs arise and can click to sign up to help. Barrett said the program began as a summer meal effort and evolved into year-round weekend bags, a Christmas assistance program and targeted help such as repairs and utility support. Barrett reported that Neighborhood Bridges raised more than $78,000 and impacted more than 2,400 students across two years of community activity. During the meeting neighborhood-bridges subscriber counts were cited as 654 (presenter) and later referenced as 668 by a board member; the presenters and board noted the list grows and donations and volunteers meet needs rapidly, sometimes within hours.
Board members thanked the presenters and acknowledged the partnerships — including a Rotary collaboration to provide additional break-week support — and asked clarifying questions about volunteer background checks and program confidentiality.
Herkin and the Neighborhood Bridges representatives asked the public to join the subscriber list and volunteer to help meet increasing needs as the program gears up for the holiday season.