Jimmy Tingle interviews CWBP founder Alanna Mallon, Cambridge Mayor David Maher, Cambridge public school support staff and volunteers, listen here!
Cambridge Backpack Program Provides
Low-Income Students with Weekend Food.
Published in the Cambridge Chronicle on February 19, 2014.
Low-Income Students with Weekend Food.
Published in the Cambridge Chronicle on February 19, 2014.
Facing the Hunger Crisis in Cambridge.
Read the Op-Ed Alanna Mallon, founder of the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program, wrote for the Cambridge Chronicle on September 7, 2021 here.
Read the Op-Ed Alanna Mallon, founder of the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program, wrote for the Cambridge Chronicle on September 7, 2021 here.
Click on the below link to hear a conversation about the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program between Alanna Mallon, Morse School Principal Patricia Beggy & WBUR's Sacha Pfeiffer:
Visit our Community Partners:
Whole Foods Inc.
Cambridge Health Alliance, Children's Care Foundation
Food For Free
Community Cooks
Cambridge Public Schools
Christ Church, Cambridge
Dosoris Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Whole Foods Inc.
Cambridge Health Alliance, Children's Care Foundation
Food For Free
Community Cooks
Cambridge Public Schools
Christ Church, Cambridge
Dosoris Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Results:
- In 2012/13 pilot of this program, 50% of the students participating in the program had medium to high absentee rates prior to program inception. At the end of the program, overall their attendance was up for ALL days of the week, but especially on Fridays. Increasing attendance on Fridays in our school means the students are able to pick up their weekly homework bag, take spelling tests and other academic testing. This sets them up for a better chance at academic success.
- Participating families became more engaged in the school community. When these families feel connected to the school through this program, they are more likely to come to events. The school-home bond is strengthened and increases the students chances for academic success.
- Trips to the principals office went down for students in the upper grades participating in this program.
Quotes:
"Many of us teachers have identified families at our school struggling with food insecurity. We've sent food home with food ourselves and wished aloud that a formal backpack program existed." - Cambridge Public School Teacher
""The family participated last year and and were so excited to receive the additional support. They thought they had special people looking out for them. Thank you for providing that support!" - Cambridge Public School Counselor
"One of our students on week two of the program privately said to (our principal) when he saw her putting the bag in the closet, 'whose turn is it this week? I had my turn last week.' When she replied, 'It is for you, each week you'll get one.' She said his whole face lit up." - Cambridge Public School Family Liaison
"(A participating parent) was very thankful and stated that it really helped the family make ends meet. This was an especially stressful time both financially and mentally for the family because they recently found out they were going to lose their housing. She was extremely grateful." - Cambridge Public School Counselor
""Because I work most weekends as the sole breadwinner in our family, it brings me comfort to know the weekend backpack food is providing an extra layer of support for my husband to care for and feed our voracious yet underweight son while I'm away. Thank you weekend backpack food! " - Participating Parent
"Many of us teachers have identified families at our school struggling with food insecurity. We've sent food home with food ourselves and wished aloud that a formal backpack program existed." - Cambridge Public School Teacher
""The family participated last year and and were so excited to receive the additional support. They thought they had special people looking out for them. Thank you for providing that support!" - Cambridge Public School Counselor
"One of our students on week two of the program privately said to (our principal) when he saw her putting the bag in the closet, 'whose turn is it this week? I had my turn last week.' When she replied, 'It is for you, each week you'll get one.' She said his whole face lit up." - Cambridge Public School Family Liaison
"(A participating parent) was very thankful and stated that it really helped the family make ends meet. This was an especially stressful time both financially and mentally for the family because they recently found out they were going to lose their housing. She was extremely grateful." - Cambridge Public School Counselor
""Because I work most weekends as the sole breadwinner in our family, it brings me comfort to know the weekend backpack food is providing an extra layer of support for my husband to care for and feed our voracious yet underweight son while I'm away. Thank you weekend backpack food! " - Participating Parent
