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The “Backpack Program”, a signature effort, which supplies backpacks filled with food items to students at Arrowhead Elementary School, Larkspur Elementary School and Echo Mountain Elementary School is a great success. The food provided in the backpacks is intended to offer breakfast, lunch, and snack items to children for the weekend to replace the food provided by the school during the week. These children receive meals at school during the week but, often go hungry on the weekends. Without this support, they return to school on Monday not ready to learn. The professional staff at our three recipient schools, have noted a marked change in the children who receive our backpacks both behaviorally and physically. Nothing can speak more eloquently to the success of the program. This program is a stellar example of our partnership with the Paradise Valley Unified School District that addresses the needs of our children. Our Board of Directors has made a commitment to continue the program for 2009-2010 even if it means supporting the program from ordinary donations. We have applied for grant money and will benefit from a directed fundraising effort sponsored by the World Famous Greater Paradise Office of Realty Executives.
Over the course of the year we will pack and deliver about 4500 backpacks at a cost of about $5 each. Our projected cost will be $22,500. We would like to offer Backpack Program sponsorships to interested individuals or groups.
If you are interested in sponsorships or know of other individuals or groups who may be interested, please let us know. We will be happy to acknowledge this support on our Web site and in our newsletter.