BOCES aims to provide kids nutritious weekend meals

RANGELY I The Rio Blanco BOCES staff started a “Feeding Our Future” backpack program in September.
This program is designed to provide nutritious food on the weekends to students in the Rangely and Meeker school districts who might otherwise go hungry. Parents who wish to have their children participate sign a consent form and on the last day of each school week, the child picks up a backpack at the office on their way home. The backpack is filled with enough food for that child for breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks for the entire weekend.
When the program started, BOCES staff were told by some the backpacks wouldn’t be returned, but they have been. The staff believes the parents truly appreciate the help provided and make sure that the backpacks come back to school on Monday.
Currently, 22 students in Rio Blanco County are participating in the program. The BOCES office staff welcomes more. Parents who feel their family would benefit by their child receiving a backpack of food for the weekends should contact the Rio Blanco BOCES office in Rangely at 675-2064.
BOCES staff has received “some amazing donations” from people in both communities and extends their thanks. More donations are always welcome, as the supplies go quickly. Donations may be dropped off at the Rio Blanco BOCES office in Rangely at 402 W. Main Street, Suite 219 or in Meeker at the School District Office at 555 Garfield. Arrangements can also be made for pick-up by calling the Rio Blanco BOCES office at 675-2064.
Suggested donations are money (as the office is able to buy food and supplies at a major discount) and any food that can be put in the backpacks in single-serving sizes, such as envelopes of macaroni and cheese, small cereal boxes, small bags of snack crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, small cans of ravioli, soup, juice boxes, etc. Gluten-free products are needed, as well.
Individual are also invited to help pack the backpacks at the Rio Blanco BOCES office in Rangely on Wednesdays. If you are interested, please call to get on the schedule.
The BOCES staff thanks everyone who has helped make this program so successful and looks forward to continuing “Feeding Our Future.”