“As a nurse for the Durango School District, I continually witness the benefits of the school backpack food program provided by Manna Soup Kitchen. I am grateful to Manna for providing food to our students in need. Most of the recipients of the food bags are on the free/reduced lunch program and the food that we send home helps to support them over the weekends or at times of need during the school week. We distribute the food bags with confidentiality, but also use this program to help us identify students and families who may benefit from other services provided in our community. With this connection, we have been able to address homeless situations, assist families in enrolling in Medicaid, connect students to academic assistance and seek out behavioral health services. We cannot thank Manna enough for their philanthropy.”

“As we are ending our second school year of the backpack program through Manna, the Boys and Girls Club is very pleased and humbled by this partnership. The backpack program has become a very important resource in the lives of some of the kids who receive backpacks each week. We have been able to provide food for 32 individuals in the Ignacio School District. The young people who receive the backpacks are very grateful to us when we deliver the food. To see the smiles on their faces, warms our hearts. They really look forward to seeing us and getting a bag each week. Part of the Boys and Girls Club mission is to serve young people who need us most. The backpack program has provided us with another resource to do just that. From the staff’s point of view, it has been a great experience to build relationships with these young people and their families. It has added a very rewarding element to our organization. We look forward to continuing this program in our community with the hopes of expanding it in the future.”