Press-Republican

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
November 13, 2009

Backpack Program to feed kids

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="&#149;">&nbsp;&nbsp;Program to provide food for children when they are away from school

By DENISE A. RAYMO

MALONE — ComLinks is starting a new program to ensure more than 200 elementary-age children continue to receive nutritious meals even when they aren't in school.

The Feeding America Backpack Program will serve qualified third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Holy Family Elementary, St. Joseph's Elementary and Flanders Elementary schools, said Dick LaVigne, program director and director of community relations for ComLinks.

Each child is given a plain black backpack full of healthy non-perishable foods to eat on weekends and scheduled days out of class throughout the school year.

They also receive assorted vouchers once a week that entitle their family to a dozen eggs or a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk and other free food items from participating program sponsors and vendors, he said.

There are six different menu choices that he said will please even the fussiest child, and the meals can include canned pasta like Spaghetti-Os, a pudding cup, a toaster pastry such as a Pop Tart, assorted cans of vegetables and dry goods like macaroni or spaghetti.

The community-action agency received a grant of about $60,000 to start the program and intends to give out its first meals on Thursdays, starting Nov. 19.

Children will receive two weekends' worth of meals because Thanksgiving falls on that next distribution day when there is no school, LaVigne said.

"We identified more than 500 kids who could benefit from this, but we only have enough for about 200," he said.

The home/school coordinators at each building determined which children could qualify and sent letters home to parents to see if they were interested in having their child participate.

From the responses, the school officials will determine which kids will be issued the backpacks. But ComLinks hopes to expand the project in years to come and find more sponsors so every child in need can be helped.

28-WEEK PROGRAM
ComLinks purchased the backpacks from International Border Company, and owner Jerry Jones sold them for 75 percent off their sticker price.

"IBC was just great to us," LaVigne said, adding that the price reduction "enabled us to put even more money into food."

He said it costs about $7 per meal per child or about $200 to feed each child during the 28-week program.

Each backpack has a number inside, and a child is issued a corresponding number to keep throughout the year.

He or she brings the empty backpack to school on Mondays so it can be picked up by volunteers, re-packed with meals and re-issued to the student on Thursdays.

LaVigne said Nov. 19 is the trial-run date and that any problems or tweaks that need to be addressed will be worked out so the program can run smoothly.

Anyone wishing to volunteer or to learn more about the program may call him at ComLinks at 483-1261, Ext. 1037.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party 79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix