Backpack program’s sponsorship decline concern for Coordinator

A small but grateful number of Fulton Independent students have benefited from a quiet program funded by local donors for nine years – the Backpack Feeding program.

According to Tracy Pulley, coordinator of Fulton Independent’s FRYSC (Family Resource / Youth Services Center), she identifies Fulton’s most in-need kids to receive a bag of food every Friday from September through June.

But in this 10th year donations are down, way down.

“When we launched the Backpack program in 2010 donors funded 44 students,” said Pulley. “Last year the number was 21 – lower but still helpful. This year, at this moment, we have two sponsorships. Two.”

Although Fulton Independent has an after-school program that serves dinner, the program is capped at 50 students in grades 3-8.

She said, “It can be hard to believe local children with working parents are hungry on the weekends, but it is happening,” said Pulley.

The Backpack Feeding program provides a bag of healthy shelf-stable food items every Friday to sponsored students.

Pulley’s retired dad, Mike Gargus, delivers the food to the children’s households. Feeding America works with corporations to purchase food at reduced cost and with the Purchase Area Development District office to coordinate the program, bagging and delivering food to school districts.

Pulley expressed her thanks to everyone who has sponsored a Fulton child through the Backpack Feeding program and is now asking the public to consider sponsoring a child for 2019-20.

The cost is $120; payment is made directly to Feeding America and mailed to: PADD, P.O. Box 588, Mayfield, KY 42066.

Those who choose to donate are asked to specify “Fulton Independent” in the memo line.

For more information call the FRYSC office at 270-472-1637.