COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Backpack Buddies program in the Coldwater School District is putting up some amazing numbers to battle poverty since the effort started 4 years ago. In the beginning, six students were given the food and school supply supplements that are provided through individual and local business donations along with assistance from service clubs and agencies like the Branch County Coalition against Domestic Violence. Now, it’s a lot more than six, it’s ten times that amount and growing according to Legg Middle School teacher Janine Sharrard, who Monday night updated the Coldwater School Board on the success of the project.
Sharrard said they pack 73 bags each week, including seven weekend meals. Last year, they served 560 meals each week over a ten month period. It all adds up to 22,400 meals served in 2014 to young people in the community that attend classes in the Coldwater School System as well as Pansophia Academy.
