The Middletown Area School District is dedicated to providing a high quality education and ensuring the well-being of all students both in and out of the classroom. There are many obstacles that affect the success of our children that are beyond our control, but hunger doesn't have to be one of them. Childhood hunger is a serious issue across America. There are nearly 13 million children, about one in six, that may not get the food they need every day. Hunger has many negative effects on children's health, behavior, and ability to learn. Our new RaiderPacks program is one way that we as a community can work together to ensure that our students don't go hungry over weekends and long breaks from school.
The Middletown Area School District is partnering with the Middletown Area Blue Raider Foundation and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to provide students in need with a bag of food every week. These RaiderPacks will contain breakfast, lunch, and snack options which include fresh fruits and vegetables. Families will have the option to discreetly pick up the packs each week, or they can be sent home with students. The RaiderPacks program is open to all Middletown Area School District students whose families apply and will be available weekly throughout the school year beginning in October.
In order to make this program a success, we need your help. It costs approximately $3.52 for each pack per week. Therefore, for every student that enrolls in the program, the total cost would be $123.20 for the entire school year (35 weeks). Every monetary donation will make a difference for our students and their families to provide consistent and reliable access to food.
Please help us fight childhood hunger in Middletown by supporting our new RaiderPacks program. Checks can be made payable to the Middletown Area Blue Raider Foundation. Please note the RaiderPacks Program in the memo section of the check. Visa and MasterCard is also accepted. Please contact Linda Mehaffie at 717-608-5990 for additional information on how to make a donation via credit card. Each and every contribution is tax deductible and greatly appreciated. When children get the food they need, they feel better and grow up stronger. No child should ever have to worry about where their next meal will come from or go to bed hungry. Together we can help end childhood hunger in Middletown!
We are also looking for volunteers to help pack and distribute the bags each week. If you are interested in volunteering or have additional questions, please contact Cindy McLaughlin and Marta Monroig at raiderpacks@raiderweb.org.
Sincerely,
The RaiderPacks Committee