Backpacks-to-Go Support
WHAT IS THE BACKPACK TO GO PROGRAM ABOUT?
The Backpack to Go Program was developed in response to the ongoing needs of Franklin Regional students with no weekend access to the school breakfast and/or lunch program. It is sponsored by our Franklin Regional community, including the Rotary, area businesses, PTO, teachers, families, and area friends. Coordinated by school counselors, enrolled students will be provided a bag filled with easy-to-prepare meals and snacks twice a month for use on the weekends.
HOW DOES THE BACKPACK TO GO PROGRAM WORK?
Children enrolled in the program, by parent request, will take home a bag with food in a safe, easy, and discreet manner on the designated Fridays. Some of the child-friendly foods may include peanut butter, jelly, applesauce, pudding, cereal, granola bars, macaroni and cheese, soup, fruit snacks, tuna, and instant oatmeal.
EVERY STUDENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR A BACKPACK TO GO. There are no financial requirements. To enroll, a parent should contact their child’s Franklin Regional school counselor at 724-327-5456 (main line).
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELORS (2023-24)
Franklin Regional Intermediate School (3-5)
Grades 3 & 5 (Ext. 6206) Paris Gesinski: [email protected]
Grades 3 & 4 (Ext. 6006) Julie Fikejs: [email protected]
Franklin Regional Primar School (K-2)
Grades K & 1 (Ext. 3250) Kristin Scott: [email protected]
Grades K & 2 (Ext. 3227) Tim Donovan: [email protected]
K-5 Career Counselor
Doug Kelly: [email protected]
Ext: 3305 (Franklin Regional Primary School)
Ext. 6111 (Franklin Regional Intermediate School)
MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELORS (2023-24)
Brian Coiner: [email protected] ×2007 (Grade 6)
Amorena Pascoe: [email protected] ×2006 (Grade 7)
Jill Huffman: [email protected] x2008 (Grade 8)
SENIOR HIGH COUNSELORS (2023-24)
(Ext. 5009) Ami Zachetti: [email protected]
(Ext. 5008) Art Earl: [email protected]
(Ext. 5026) Carrie Jones: [email protected]
(Ext. 5007) Marissa Fenwick: [email protected]
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE BACKPACK TO GO PROGRAM?
1. Donate to the Backpack program food drives: Our goal is to collect meals and snacks that a child can prepare themselves, if necessary. Specific food donations are accepted at any time in the school offices.
2. Donate a Gift Card: The Backpack’s facilitators will purchase the meals and snacks with gift cards from local grocery stores such as Shop & Save, Giant Eagle, Ferri’s Shur Save, Aldi’s, or Walmart. Gift cards can be dropped off at any of our school offices.
3. Make a tax-deductible monetary contribution: Checks should be made payable to "FRSD Backpacks-to-Go" Program" and are tax deductible. They can be delivered to any of the school offices at any time during the school year. It takes about $30 per month per child in the program.
By meeting the basic needs of our students, we hope each will be better able to focus on learning. Kindly direct program questions, to one of our program facilitators by emailing: [email protected].