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Local students lead Weekend Bag Program that now serves Vernon schools
Summary
Teen leaders of the Weekend Bag Program told the Vernon Township Board that the volunteer nonprofit now supplies hundreds of weekend meal bags and other items to Vernon students and urged community help and volunteer visits to their warehouse.
Magdalene “Maggie” Castello, president of the Weekend Bag Program, described how the student‑led nonprofit began about a decade ago and has grown into a multi‑school effort that now serves Vernon Township.
The group reported that as of this school year it supplied roughly 3,200 weekend bags to Vernon schools and plans to start next year with about 105 Vernon students receiving bags weekly; the presenters said the program totals were far larger countywide. Castello said the operation is anonymous — school liaisons identify recipients — and that the group tries to keep contents kid‑friendly and never expired. She said, “it costs about $25 to make one weekend bag and we ended this year with 395 bags a week.”
Why it matters: board members and administrators noted the program’s partnership value for student support and community outreach, and asked how residents can help. Program volunteers left flyers with QR links to their Facebook page and website and invited trustees and staff to tour the warehouse and to publicize upcoming fundraisers and volunteer opportunities.
The presentation included examples of extra services the group provides to families (holiday turkeys, toys and winter clothing) and described a ‘Beyond the Bag’ division that runs transition programs. Board members thanked the presenters; no formal action was taken.
The board asked staff to consider ways to highlight the nonprofit on district channels so families and donors know how to connect. The program’s contact information and web address were distributed at the meeting.
