The Power of ONE in a Caring Community
The Pawtucket Backpackers had a successful pilot at three elementary schools and 100 students were served with nutritional supplements on weekends. Beginning this past September, the Pawtucket Backpackers re-instituted the Backpack program in all ten elementary schools, serving 150 students with food supplements on the weekends. In early October, we received a call from Goff Jr. High asking if we would be able to assist their students in need with supplements, and 12 bags were added. The ALP requested help and another 5 were sent. Because the need was in our secondary schools, we reached out to Slater and Jenks/JMW and added them in late October/November. Recently, I received an e-mail from Tolman for 25 bags and added Shea as well with another 25. In addition to that, we have been asked to help, on a very limited basis, students and families in dire need and have done what we can to assist.
While contributions from the community have been relatively steady, with support from businesses, a local church, and the Pawtucket Teachersʼ Alliance, we would have had funds to sustain the program through late spring IF we were supplying assistance to elementary only. However, with the additional students – 250 students being provided for – additional funds will be needed to sustain the program.
Beginning January 13, and running through February 14, the Pawtucket Backpackers will be sponsoring a fundraiser in our schools and our City. In order to make the program sustainable through the end of the school year, we are asking every student and staff member, as well as members of the community, to help us make a difference and help our students by donating $1.00 to the Pawtucket Backpackers; not $1.00 a week, but simply $1.00 during the dates specified. If every student, staff member, and members of our community were to join this effort, we would be able to sustain the program and continue assisting our students and their families.
While I am aware that our faculty does many things for our students in the way of support through their personal finances, I would appreciate any help you can provide us. If you are unable to assist the Backpackers through a personal contribution of $1.00, we would be grateful if the members of the PTA would support us through explanation of the Backpackers program to their students, what we are doing, and why. I believe your assistance in that area would provide a great teaching opportunity of economics, personal need, and service.
Thank you,
Joanne Bonollo
Pawtucket School Committee Member
Wellness Committee Chair
Pawtucket Backpackers Chairperson