The YMCA of Centre County has received a $15,000 donation to support one of its key anti-hunger programs.
Penn State Federal Credit Union donated the funds to the YMCA’s Backpack Program, which serves children and families struggling with food insecurity in eight Central Pennsylvania school districts.
The donation marks the credit union’s continued support for the program, which began at one school in 2014 and now serves more than 1,300 local children.
“The Penn State Federal family is pleased to be a part of the Backpack Program again this school year. A child fed for the weekend is a success story. Thank you to the YMCA for being there for the kids!” Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union, said in a statement.
Through the program, backpacks full of meals and snacks for the weekend are distributed to children each Friday during the school year. Empty backpacks are then returned to the school on Monday so they can be refilled for the following weekend.
Aside from oversight and food ordering, the program is run mostly by volunteers who pack the backpacks and deliver them to the schools.
“The Penn State Federal Credit Union’s continued financial support is extremely important to the success and sustainability of the Backpack Program,” Mel Curtis, director of the Y’s Anti-Hunger Program, said. “Their donation to support this program has made a major impact in many children’s lives so they have food for the weekend. Their passion to help others is greatly appreciated and very sincere because they recognize that no child should ever go hungry.”
The program serves Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penns Valley, State College and West Branch area school districts.
No child is turned away from the Backpack Program, and parents can contact their children’s schools about enrolling.
