Coach Cory's Backpack Buddies

To the hungry children in Northwest Ohio, government subsidized lunches are often the only meal they receive in a day. Monday through Friday they function solely on the afternoon meal, but where can they turn come the weekend? The Coach Cory’s Backpack Buddies program provides take home backpacks filled with food to help the hungry students through the weekend with supplementary healthy food. At the end of the school day each Friday, the elementary student designated out of each family receives a backpack stocked with goods prepared for the next two days. On Monday morning, the book bags are returned to school and are restocked throughout the week, only to be returned to the family, full, the following Friday. This incredible program is run on generous donations. Various businesses, organizations, school faculty members and individuals in the community provide financial and food donations to the outreach in order to continue on the service. The program will be facilitated by student volunteerism as student organizations will help to pack the bags every Thursday evening. This initiative is run in memory of Mr. Cory Sprow-the recently deceased Elementary Principle, Middle School Teacher and Varsity Basketball Coach who lost his life at the young age of 38. Mr. Sprow was a beloved member of the community, who truly epitomized the spirit of service. The outreach of ‘Coach Cory’s Backpack Buddies’ will allow his legacy to live on for years to come.