Young children help students in need at Meyersdale school
MEYERSDALE ― The students and staff at Learning Ladder made a special presentation to the Meyersdale Area Elementary School to assist with the school’s Weekend Backpack program.
“Every year our preschool students collect donations during the month of November in their special Tom Turkey cans we make at school. We use this experience to teach our students about giving and being thankful,” said Courtney Willison, Learning Ladder director.
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The initiative proved successful, and the children collected $1,050 to benefit this program.
“The kids collect money from family and friends and pour their little cans into our big Tom Turkey jar the week of Thanksgiving. They get so excited to fill him up," Willison said. "Each year we choose a local charity to receive our donation. We heard about the financial need for the Meyersdale Area Elementary Weekend Backpack Program and explained to our students the importance of giving to this worthy cause. We are super proud of our students and their families for raising an impressive $1,050.”
Each Friday, qualifying students are given a bag of weekend snacks that include shelf-stable items that are both healthy and easily transported via the student’s bookbag.
Devin Pritts, Meyersdale Area Elementary School principal, said this contribution will be of great benefit to the Backpack Program, which assists approximately 120 students and their families each year.
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“Over the past couple of years, the number of students who participate in the program has grown exponentially. The cost to purchase food for the program has increased as well,” Pritts said. “Generous donations, like this, help to make the program possible and ensure that children have access to food on weekends.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Meyersdale's Weekend Backpack program receives donation
