School program makes sure students are fed over weekends

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The ‘Blessing in a Backpack’ program at John McIntire Elementary helps to make sure that no child goes hungry over the weekend.

The program provides students with healthy foods in a backpack each Friday to take home over the two-day break from school. School Principal Kacey Cottrill said they found that some students were not receiving proper nutrition when they were home for the weekends. This program, in collaboration with the Health Department, looks to put an end to that.

“We do a pretty good job in Zanesville of feeding them here. We have free breakfast and free lunch for every student. But weekends are always a concern. So we have about 50 students that take the backpacks home with them,” said Cottrill.

This is the second year that the ‘Blessing in a Backpack’ program has been instituted at McIntire Elementary. Cottrill said the program is open to any parent; all they have to do is ask the school.

“The food has to meet the requirements set forth by the state with proper carbohydrates, sugar, and things like that,” said Cottrill. “Kids are very thankful for the food that they get.”

Cottrill said they hope to expand the program this year.