How The MDI Backpack Program Supports Local Students In Need

The MDI Backpack Program serves students at Trenton Elementary, MDI High School, Mount Desert Elementary, the Connors Emerson School and students on Cranberry Island.

For the last 10 years, the program has operated. They are currently serving about 40 children and contribute snack boxes to the 5 schools listed above. The bags they send home every Friday cost $25 to $30 each and on Holiday weeks they cost more for the food. The snack boxes, cost about the same. By providing the snack boxes, it hopefully alleviates the need, so teachers, counselors and nurses don't have to buy snacks for their students. Let's face it, children can't concentrate when they are hungry and their stomachs are growling.

Children are able to go to the office and pick up the backpack full of food every Friday. No one but the child and the family and office knows that the backpack is full of food. The child then returns the empty backpack to the office on Monday.

With SNAP benefits disappearing the MDI Backpack organizers expect their numbers to climb! During COVID the numbers who took advantage of the program went from about 40 to 150 on some weeks!

If you can help support this program, please visit the MDI Backpack Program's website to donate . You can also send a check made out the MDI Backpack Proram and mail it to Vicky Smith, PO Box 123 Hulls Cove, Me 04446.

If a child you know who attends school at Trenton Elementary, MDI High School, Mount Desert Elementary, the Connors Emerson School or on Cranberry Island. needs some help with food insecurity please reach out to their school counselor, nurse or teacher who will contact the MDI Backpack Program and they will make sure they get food every Friday.

The MDI Backpack Program runs solely on donations and volunteers.