On October 30, 2023, Trisha Ewald, Northeast regional manager and Longwood School District program coordinator for Blessings in a Backpack, spoke to Peconic Bay Zonta members about the organization's goal to feed children who struggle with access to food. Peconic Bay Zonta has been a longtime contributor to the program and had asked for an update of activities. Club members were so impressed with Ewald's presentation and the statistics she provided that we voted to donate $500 from club funds to the local program.
 |
| Trisha Ewald (center) is flanked by Betsy Kaplan (left) and Diane Greenberg – photo by Geri Kazenoff |
Ewald explained that Blessings in a Backpack, a non-religious national organization, provides weekend food for 80,000 children living at or below the poverty level in 45 states. Locally, in the Longwood School District, 50 percent of students are in need of this assistance. The Longwood district encompasses students in Medford, Gordon Heights, Shirley, Ridge and Coram. The school identifies the children, and, with parental approval, 600 children in the district are sent home every Friday with food for the weekend in their backpacks. All preparatory work is done by volunteers. Peconic Bay Zonta is looking forward to volunteering time to the program as well as continuing financial assistance.
Peconic Bay Zonta is affiliated with Zonta International, a nonprofit organization that seeks to build a better world for women and girls.
No comments:
Post a Comment