Lehighton Area School District is again the benefactor of a program designed to provide students with meals.

Michelle Rex, Giant store manager at the Lehighton Giant, visited the district Friday morning to give out a check for $5,427, which will be used toward the Backpack Buddies Program.

Rex, along with several store employees, said the money distributed by Giant comes from local customers who round up their grocery bill total at checkout. Giant matched the first $250,000 rounded up by customers.

“We’re very proud to partner with the school district,” Rex said. “Together, we can make a huge difference.”

Rebecca Karpowicz, Business Affairs/Human Resource Coordinator, who also serves as Backpack Buddies program administrator, said the program provides take-home bags with food and other essential items for around 70 students in the district.

“It means a lot to get to service more kids,” Karpowicz said. “Giant has been phenomenal.”

Karpowicz, who said the money goes toward a weekly distribution of food and other items, explained how the program works.

“Our staff at the building levels really decide who they feel needs the extra for the weekends - teachers, principals, social workers, school police and guidance counselors will look for those students they feel are in need,” she said. “I will pack the bags which consist of a protein, vegetable, fruit, breakfast items, juice and some type of shelf life milk. I also put in a few treats for the kids. They also receive a few times a year toiletries.”

“Holiday times, I like to try to add a treat for them as well. The guidance counselors will distribute the bags to those students weekly.”

The district started the program in 2019 to help provide food insecure students with meals over the weekend when school was not in session.

“The Backpack Buddies Program is really just something that I started years ago to help families in the community,” Karpowicz said.

“No child should go hungry,” Rex said. “That is why we partner with our local school districts in the ‘round up’ program.”