Backpack program donation

Learning Ladder Early Education Center recently made a donation of $1,050 to the Meyersdale Area Elementary School Weekend Backpack Program. The Weekend Backpack Program assists approximately 120 students in the district.

The students and staff at Learning Ladder recently made a special presentation to the Meyersdale Area Elementary School (MAES) to assist with the school’s Weekend Backpack program.

“Every year our preschool students collect donations during the month of November in their special Tom Turkey cans we make at school. We use this experience to teach our students about giving and being thankful,” explained Courtney Willison, director of Learning Ladder.

The initiative proved quite successful and the youngsters collected $1,050 to benefit this important program.

“The kids collect money from family and friends and pour their little cans into our big Tom Turkey jar the week of Thanksgiving. They get so excited to fill him up! Each year we choose a local charity to receive our donation. We heard about the financial need for the Meyersdale Area Elementary Weekend Backpack Program and explained to our students the importance of giving to this worthy cause,” Willison explained. “We are super proud of our students and their families for raising an impressive $1,050!”

Devin Pritts, MAES Principal, said this generous contribution will be of great benefit to the MAES Backpack Program. This invaluable program assists approximately 120 students and their families each year.

Each Friday, qualifying students are given a bag of weekend snacks that include shelf-stable items that are both healthy and easily transported via the student’s bookbag.

“Over the past couple of years, the number of students who participate in the program has grown exponentially. The cost to purchase food for the program has increased as well,” Pritts explained. “Generous donations, like this, help to make the program possible and ensure that children have access to food on weekends.”