BELLEFONTE — The Penn State Federal Credit Union donated $15,000 to the YMCA of Centre County’s Backpack Program, according to a release from the credit union.
The Backpack Program, which was established in 2014, is one of the YMCA of Centre County’s anti-hunger programs and provides students enrolled in the program with a backpack full of food each Friday during the school year, so that they have food to eat over the weekend. The Backpack Program serves Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penns Valley, State College and West Branch Area school districts. More than 1,300 children benefit from the program during the school year.
“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,” said Cheryl Barr, CEO of the Penn State Federal Credit Union, in a statement.
Aside from oversight and food ordering, the Backpack Program is primarily run by volunteers. Volunteers help pack the backpacks and deliver them to schools so children can receive meals and snacks on Friday afternoon. On Monday, the children return the empty backpacks to the school to be refilled again at the end of the week.
“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 YMCA’s Anti-Hunger Programs, said in a statement. “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.”
All children within the participating school districts are able to participate in the program. For more information or to enroll, visit ymcaocc.org.
