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CASSOPOLIS — To help the many local families in need during the school year, the Sam Adams Backpack Program has announced a $16,000 fundraising goal for 2025.

For nine years, the Sam Adams Backpack Program has provided weekend food for school children who might otherwise go hungry when school is not in session. The goal of raising $16,000 will sustain the program, funding it for an additional year.  

A collaboration of local churches and community volunteers take turns shopping and pack take-home bags for the elementary school students. With a budget of $8 per student for a two-day weekend, a food bag may include a box of cereal or packets of oatmeal, peanut butter, soup, ramen or macaroni and cheese, a fruit cup, a sweet treat or two and a drink. Due to the rising costs of food this is up from an earlier budget of $6 per student. For longer school closures such as Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks, the family receives food vouchers valid at Harding’s Market in Cassopolis for cereal, eggs, milk, cheese and meat. 

The School District informs income-qualified families about the program and distributes the bags to students on a weekly basis.  Currently the program packs bags for 50 students per weekend, up from 44 students two years ago.  

Assistant Principal Lauren Sheeley attests to the program’s positive impact, sharing feedback received from mothers.  

“The food bags and vouchers help my family through these tough times of high food costs, especially trying to feed a growing child healthy choices,” one mother wrote.   “Thank you so much for your generous gift/donation.  The vouchers allowed us to prepare family dinners together after a tight budget due to the holiday.  It was greatly appreciated,” wrote another. 

“In the time of need you guys made things a little better… Means so much,” Another said. 

The Backpack Program welcomes tax deductible monetary donations of all sizes, and 100 percent of funds raised address food insecurity of Cassopolis elementary children.  A donation of $8 feeds one hungry student for a weekend; $32 covers one student for a month.  A donation of $400 covers the cost of 50 students for a weekend, and $1,600 covers the program cost for an entire month.  Online donations are accepted at Michigan Gateway Community Foundation (MGCF.org, scroll down to Sam Adams Backpack Program).  Checks may be mailed to MGCF, 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, MI  49107 with attention to Sam Adams Backpack Program.

For more information or to become a sponsor or volunteer, contact Barb Strlekar at 269-501-3402 or at bstrlekar@hotmail.com. Or inquire at any of our member organizations: Sam Adams Elementary School, Cassopolis United Methodist Church, Cassopolis United Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of the Lake/St. Ann’s Catholic Churches, Diamond Cove Missionary Church, Word of Life Worship Center, Penn Friends Community Church, Christs’ Temple Church, Helping Hands of Cass County, and Michigan Gateway Community Foundation (MGCF).