Olive Hill — Feed the Children delivered nourishment for children hungry for knowledge as well as food on Thursday.
The nonprofit organization delivered a truck with 1,920 backpacks, 1,920 bags of food and 120 cases of books to the Carter County Board of Education central warehouse.
Backpacks were filled with basic school supplies and hygiene items such as toothpaste. Food packs included 15 items of ready-to-eat food.
They will be given to children in the Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Rowan county schools, said Marsha McDavid of Carter County Community Assistance and Referral Services, or Carter County CAReS.
McDavid found out about the program through research for Carter County CAReS and asked Feed the Children to come to the area.
Though Feed the Children mainly deals with hunger issues, “We also think it’s just as important to feed minds,” said Erin Carlstrom, director of education programs for Feed the Children.
The supplies are designed for children who are homeless, she said.
Children often have to “couch-surf,” staying the night with different friends or relatives or live in shelters, vehicles or motels, Carlstrom said.
Rural homelessness is different from urban homelessness because it includes those living with multiple families in one home, McDavid said.
There are about 1.5 million homeless children in the United States, Carlstrom said.
McDavid said the program will help children avoid being looked down on for not having new things when school starts.
“I think this will help give the children confidence,” she said.
Carlstrom said the program helps children fit in and makes it easier for them to stay in school because they have necessary supplies. The backpacks are also helpful because children can sometimes fit all their possessions in the bag.
“It provides an incredible sense of self for the children,” she said.
This year 120,000 backpacks were distributed around the country, Carlstrom said. That’s enough to fill about 62 trucks.
A truck is sent to each state, and some states with larger populations of homeless children get multiple trucks, she said. The truck delivered to Carter County was the only one in Kentucky.
The program began four years ago when 47,000 backpacks were given away, Carlstrom said.
There was an equal number of backpacks designated for elementary and middle and high school students, Carlstrom said. An elementary school backpack includes crayons, while a calculator and deoderant are tucked into middle and high school backpacks.
Each filled backpack costs about $18, she said.
Backpacks will be distributed through school districts’ family resource centers, McDavid said.
Those interested in donating to the program may visit www.feedthechildren.org/education.
KATIE BRANDENBURG can be reached at kbrandenburg@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2657.
Local News
Related Photos
-
John Flavell
Discussion
Help by the numbers
Feed the Children delivers filled backpacks, food, books for students
- Local News
-
-
School personnel pleased to be in ‘unprecedented’ territory with snow days
Mid-February usually is the time when school administrators start worrying about how many days they will have to tack on to the end of the year to make up for the ones missed because of snow.
-
Opposition to planned sewer extension
The Boyd County Fiscal Court could be removing $60,000 in grant money after complaints about the sewer project it would have funded.
-
Business touts better living
Yvette Pennington is a true believer in the power of living better as we live longer.
-
Police beat: 2/9/12
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:
-
Safe Harbor benefits from Shop and Share Day
Shop and Share Day brought a record number of donations to Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky.
-
Local briefs: 2/9/12
For the fifth year in a row, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has given the Southern Ohio Medical Center Cancer Center funding to support the Hands of Hope grant program.
-
Judge's ruling paralyzes General Assembly
Confusion reigns in the wake a judge’s ruling that state redistricting maps passed by the General Assembly are unconstitutional. That ruling says until the legislature offers a plan which meets constitutional muster, 2012 candidates for the legislature must run in the districts drawn 10 years ago.
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
-
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”
- More Local News Headlines
-
School personnel pleased to be in ‘unprecedented’ territory with snow days
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
