Backpack Program appreciates community support

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, oftentimes this heralds a time of being reflective and feeling thankful. The Morrison Backpack Program is grateful for those individuals, organizations and businesses in our community for their continued support of this program. 

The backpack program provides food for students at W.F. Morrison Elementary in Troy when other food sources may not be available during the weekend. Currently 44 students are provided packages of food each week and during the 2015/2016 school year 1,360 packages of food were handed out. 

The pre—assembled packages are ordered through the Montana Food Bank Network and contain easy to prepare entrees, cereal, shelf—stable milk, juice, snacks and canned fruit that fit discretely into a child’s backpack. Each week Stein’s Market donates fresh fruit and string cheese for a healthy addition. Students surveyed who’ve received them say the fruit and cheese is their favorite part! 

As with any program, funding is important to ensure longevity and we are so thankful for the recent financial support we’ve received in order to continue providing this service. 

We would like to thank Town Pump for their generosity in providing a huge amount of support for this program! We are also so grateful for the financial contributions from the Plum Creek Foundation, Lincoln County Community Foundation, Lincoln County Combined Campaign, Lincoln County Credit Union as well as generous individuals in this community. 100 percent of the funds raised go to purchase the food which is provided directly to the students. We would also like to thank the Troy Food Pantry and the Troy School administration for their partnerships as well as the special individuals who give their time every week to meet and disperse the packages of food, this program couldn’t operate without you!

With much appreciation and gratitude, 

Angie Huisentruit

Morrison Backpack Coordinator c/o Troy Food Pantry