Fourth Annual Food Drive for the Adrian Elementary Backpack Program

The Backpack Program is a non-profit organization that provides non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food to our local elementary students to ensure that they have food on the weekends and holidays. The program runs strictly off of donations from the community. 

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the needs of the Adrian R-III Backpack Program are on the rise.  As of right now, there are 25 students currently receiving food from the program.

 Our kickoff will be OCTOBER 8th at Pink Out. Admission to the game is $4 for adults and $3 for students. Gate admission will be donated to the program. All extra donations are welcomed and appreciated. 

The drive will run from October 8th-December 18th. We will be making two deliveries to the pantry this year: one right before Thanksgiving and the other right before Christmas. Christmas break is a week and a half this year so a lot of food goes home with students just before the break.   

A class contest will be held from  November 2--November 13th. The class with the most food and money donations will win an incentive. This year we will continue collecting monetary donations, and those will count toward the classroom total. Although only the class/grade level with the most donations will get a reward, the real winners are the people and students who contribute.  Hopefully, we can teach students the importance of giving to those in need, and in this case, it is our own community.  

To make things fun, we have decided to have themed days! You do NOT have to follow the themed days. We are just trying to make sure that a variety of items are donated as well giving ideas of items that are needed.  Please check the expiration dates on items sent because we cannot send expired food in backpacks. 

Main Dish Monday- Items that students can use to make an easy meal

    Ideas: Instant mac and cheese, ramen noodles, ravioli, canned chili, canned soup, Spaghetti O’s, tuna, spam, beanie weenies, vienna sausage, peanut butter (this was the most requested item last year), etc. 

Take it to the Side Tuesday- side dish items 

    Ideas: fruit cups, veggies, applesauce, crackers, etc. 

Waking Up Right Wednesday-  breakfast items

    Ideas: Pop Tarts, granola bars, instant oatmeal, dried fruit in individual packets, muffins, donuts, cereal (individual boxes), instant breakfast, Honey buns, instant Carnation, etc. 

Thirsty Thursday- drinks   

    Ideas: Capri Sun, juice boxes, Kool-Aid Jammers, hot chocolate (individual packets), etc. 

Favorite Snack Friday- snack and treat items

    Ideas: crackers, peanut butter (this was the most requested item last year), Jell-O snack pack, pudding snack pack, microwavable popcorn, individually packaged chips/pretzels/goldfish, cookies, Little Debbie snacks, fruit snacks, trail mix, chex mix, Rice Krispy Treats, Teddy Grahams, graham crackers, jerky, etc. 

Please give all donations to your teacher. Totals will be tallied each week and a running score will be kept. Winners will be announced November 16th. We will also be having a School wide “Pajama/Hat” day on November 4th. Students can donate $1 or more and wear pajamas OR a hat during the school day. Thank you for all of your support! Your donations are needed and very much appreciated.  

Sincerely, 

Megan Johnson and Krista Brewster