The YMCA of Centre County has received a $10,000 donation to support one of its key anti-hunger programs.
Penn State Federal Credit Union made the donation for the YMCA’s Backpack Program, which provides backpacks full of food to more than 1,300 local children each week.
“The Penn State Federal Credit Union’s continued financial support is extremely important to the success and sustainability of the Backpack Program and has made a major impact in many children’s lives,” Mel Curtis, director of the Y’s anti-hunger programs, said in a statement. “Their passion to help out is greatly appreciated and very sincere because they recognize that no child should ever go hungry.”
The Backpack Program started in 2014 and has grown to help children in eight local school districts: Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penns Valley, State College and West Branch. Each Friday during the school year, participating students receive a backpack containing meals and snacks to take home with them for the weekend.
Except for staff oversight and food ordering, the program is mostly run by volunteers who fill the backpacks and deliver them to the schools.
“The Penn State Federal family is pleased to be a part of the Backpack program again this school year,” CEO Cheryl Barr said in a statement. “Cheryl Barr, PSFCU A child fed for the weekend is a success story. Thank you to the YMCA for being there for the kids!”
No child is turned away from the Backpack Program. Parents can receive information about enrolling their children in the program from their schools or by visiting the YMCA of Centre County website.
