$10,000 given to Backpack Program

Last week, the Clarion Foundation for Community Improvement announced that it had received a $10,000 grant through the Monsanto Fund for the Backpack Program, an initiative that provides food on the weekends for families with children in poverty throughout the school year. The $10,000 is equivalent to the funds needed to feed 20 families through the program for one year.

Employees fromthe Monsanto Clarion Soybean Production Facility recommended the Clarion Foundation for Community Improvement to receive the grant from the Monsanto Fund’s 2017 site grant initiative.

“Because of Monsanto’s generous grant, children and their families will have a reliable source of nutritious food,” said Sherri O’Brien, coordinator for the Backpack Program along with Pastor Bill Kem, adding, “The support and involvement of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches and the Clarion Rotary Club are integral partners in the weekly planning and coordination of the Backpack Program.”

The 2016-17 school year was the fourth year the Backpack Program helped local families. In its first year, it provided five families in the school district with supplemental food. Since then, it’s grown every year, providing food for 11 families, then 15, and most recently 20 families.

For the full story, see the June 29 edition of the Monitor.