31 Backpacks gets $10,000 to help feed students
HANCOCK — The non-profit group 31 Backpacks got a much needed donation this week thanks to the Keweenaw Health Foundation. The group was presented with a check for $10,000 Monday night at the Glad Tidings church in Hancock. 31 backpacks are known for providing food for under privileged students, especially during the holidays.
Last night they also held a special packing session where volunteers fill grocery bags full of food and then distribute them to deserving students throughout the area.
A total of 920 bags were made. They want to make sure students have enough food to make it through the Christmas break. School districts identify ‘at risk’ students and they are given food.
Melissa Maki is with 31 Backpacks and says, “We do the bulk of our fundraising at this time a year because of the season. But we do operate almost year round and we certainly could use any donations cash wise that anybody can send us and our address is 1100 Century Way, Suite C, and that’s in Houghton 49931. ”
The majority of the donated food comes from the food bank. Another food giveaway will be held in the spring around Easter time.