30-05-2025
‘Fill the Backpack' campaign returns to Wegmans in June
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — WIVB News 4 is once again proud to partner with Wegmans and FeedMore Western New York for the annual 'Fill the Backpack' campaign.
Each week during the school year, around 6,000 students bring a bag full of shelf-stable food home to their families. In the summertime, FeedMore distributes these bags of food to summer camps and community sites.
'We know you can't focus, you can't be successful, you can't learn if you're hungry,' said Catherine Shick, public relations manager of FeedMore WNY. 'We need to make sure that our youngest community members are receiving the nutrition that they need to grow and thrive.'
Around 65 schools throughout the Western New York region utilize this program, including Hamlin Park Elementary in Buffalo.
'One-third of our students actually participate in the program and that says a lot,' said Lauren Golpl, a first grade teacher at the school who helps students receive the food anonymously. 'It shows that the need is here, but it doesn't just stop here at Hamlin Park. It's in all surrounding suburbs and around Western New York, and it's such a powerful program.'
How it works is FeedMore fills bags full of shelf-stable foods, including protein, fruits, vegetables, snacks, and a whole grain, and sends boxes of these bags to schools.
At Hamlin Park, they have fifth graders who help distribute these boxes throughout the school, but then teachers will make sure the bags of food go home with the students who are part of the program.
'I would encourage people to support this program just because I think it's good to help out a neighbor in need,' said Alexa Pontillo, a second grade autism teacher, who helps the program at the school.
The community can help support FeedMore's backpack program by shopping at Wegmans and donating toward the 'Fill the Backpack' campaign at the checkout line.
'Whatever you are able to give is greatly appreciated, and if we can all give a little, it does add up to a big difference,' said Shick.
A $5 donation can help fill one backpack with a bag of food. This year's campaign goal is to raise enough to fill 35,000 backpacks.
To learn more about the campaign, click here.
Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.
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