News Release

WARSAW — The Boomerang Backpacks program at Warsaw Community Schools faces a pivotal moment as it works to restore weekend food assistance to all elementary students in need.

“In every classroom, there are bright young minds who should be focusing on learning, playing and growing — not wondering where their next meal will come from,” said Jeri Purdy, Boomerang Backpack board member. “We have an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in these children’s lives.”

The program currently provides weekend nutrition for kindergarten through fourth-grade students. But with community support to bridge a $20,000 funding gap, Boomerang Backpacks can restore services to all kindergarten through sixth-grade students and to provide assistance during school breaks, according to a news release. Every dollar contributed represents another meal, the release said.

JoElla Hauselman, principal of Edgewood Middle School, has launched “Together We Feed Them All,” a districtwide initiative to try to ensure no Warsaw Community Schools family goes hungry during extended breaks. The initiative intends to raise $30,000 for the 2024-2025 school year. Together We Feed Them All complements Boomerang Backpacks to create a safety net of care throughout the school year, the release said.

“When we come together as a community, incredible things happen,” said Hauselman. “Every backpack we fill, every meal we provide, sends a powerful message to our children: you matter, you are cared for and your community stands with you.”

Boomerang Backpack’s motto is: “Helping to fight childhood hunger one Boomerang Backpack at a time.”

Ways to help:

• Make a donation that helps feed local children for Together We Feed Them All at this website: https://donate.stripe.com/aEU6qS8Ww9Cn7yU000
• Volunteer your time
• Become a corporate sponsor
• Organize a food drive to stock the program’s shelves

To join the effort or to learn more, contact Purdy ([email protected]) for Boomerang Backpacks or JoElla Hauselman ([email protected]) for Together We Feed Them All.