District Named 2011 Grant Recipient by Sodexo Foundation

Representatives from the Sodexo Foundation presented a grant in the amount of $4,500 to the Bucyrus Backpack Program on Nov. 16, 2011.

This generous donation, which is part of a multi-year grant, was awarded to only 14 schools nationwide. Installments will be made over the next three years in the following amounts: $2,000 in 2011-12; $1,500 in 2012-13 and $1,000 in 2013-2014.

According to Sodexo’s Vice President of Operations, North East Region, Mike Grey, applicants were selected based
on merits and their intent to provide services to students. “We like to keep the program as student-centered as possible,” Grey said. “It makes it easy when we have a good partner like Bucyrus who is in it for the right reasons.We really admire their all-hands-on-deck approach. It’s great to see so many people getting behind the program and making it so successful. We wish them the best of luck.”

Bucyrus City Schools Food Service Director Lorie Pennington was ecstatic to learn the Bucyrus Backpack Program had been selected as a 2011 Sodexo grant recipient. “This money will benefit our program in ways we never imagined. Thank you to the backpack program team, Kathy Wells, Evelyn Augustine, Marie Stuckman, Beth Constantine, Bob Laipply, Robin Showers, and the many other volunteers who make this program possible.”

To date, the program is currently serving 90 kids (33 families) with 67 backpacks going home each week. Backpacks contain enough food for three dinners, two breakfasts, two lunches and three snacks. “The program is off to a great start,” Pennington said. “This grant will help us to continue and expand our efforts. The more kids we can help the better.”

For more information regarding the Bucyrus Backpack Program, contact Pennington at 419-562-5355 or go online and click on the Food Service tab.