Farmers RECC donates to weekend food program in Metcalfe County schools

EDMONTON Ky.- Students are buzzing at Metcalfe County Elementary, and they’re doing so with full stomachs. Thanks to a $2,000 donation from Farmers RECC in Glasgow, the Metcalfe County schools can now strengthen their backpack program, which provides food for the students over the weekend.

Director of member and public communications at Farmers RECC Caralyne Pennington said she’s glad to pitch in.

“Part of our mission at Farmers RECC is commitment to community. We understand that it’s hard for our young folks in the area maybe to learn or focus on their studies if they’re worried about where their next meal is coming from. We felt that this was a really good way to give back and to help those people with some food that they may not have otherwise,” Pennington said.

Before the students head home for the weekend, they can fill drawstring backpacks with easy to prepare meals, so they can be well nourished by the time they come back on Monday.

The backpack program comes from a partnership with Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland. Roughly 70% of students in the district qualify for free and reduced lunch, and around 70 students are making use of the backpack program for weekend meals. The school district is of course excited for this fruitful donation.

“We’ve seen our family resource staff work with that now for a number of years and we have so many children that depend on that. To know that we have an organization like Farmers to come along side us and provide those much needed resources, it’s just truly wonderful for us,” Metcalfe County Superintendent Dr. Benny Lile said.

Nothing will foil the chance to make sure everyone is full and focused seven days a week, Pennington said.

“We hope to be able to continue that donation in the coming years as well, to be able to provide a steady source of funds, just to help out what we feel is a very worthwhile cause,” Pennington said.