Starting September 17, 2024, the Salvation Army of Marquette County will partner with Gwinn Public Schools to facilitate their weekend Backpack feeding program.
The weekend backpack feeding program in Gwinn, known in the community as PawPacks, expanded rapidly so local volunteers could not keep up with the demand and cost.
“We at GACS want to extend an ENORMOUS Thank You to Hannah Erickson and her team of wonderful volunteers for the time and dedication given to starting and continuing PawPacks for several years as a local effort. Given the escalating need and prices of food in a year’s time that forced a pause in the program, Hannah and our school team worked over the summer to set up a partnership with the Salvation Army to better accommodate program growth during these times of hardship,” Gilbert School counselor Tiffany Green at the Gilbert School said. “Through this transition, I have been impressed with the generosity and ease of collaboration we’ve experienced with the Salvation Army. I look forward to working with their organization to provide some relief to our families this year and beyond,”
“When Gwinn Public Schools reached out to us, we recognized the need and our ability to meet the need. Food insecurity is a massive problem for students in that area, and with limited transportation and food source options, adding Gwinn to our program seemed like an obvious solution,” Head Administrator Bill Brutto added.
“I’m grateful for The Salvation Army reaching the Gwinn community to support our students. Ensuring consistent food security will also lead to better student outcomes. So far, working together, I can feel the connection, caring, and compassion from The Salvation Army in getting things done to better the world for our families,” stated Samantha Losiewicz, School Social Worker, with the Marquette- Alger RESA.
The Salvation Army has provided North Star Academy with PolarPacks for almost a decade.
TSA will pack 195 packs weekly to distribute between the two school systems.
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