Island Harvest Receives $6,500 Grant for Kids Feeding Program

Mineola-based non-profit has been awarded a $6,500 grant by the Marcie Mazzola Foundation for its Kids Weekend Backpack Feeding Program.

Each Friday during the school year, Island Harvest supplies children who are food insecure with a pack of nutritious, shelf-stable food — enough for two lunches, two breakfasts, two snacks, and two servings of milk. Also included is important information for parents and children to learn about proper nutrition, and overall health and fitness tips.

During the 2010-11 school year, Island Harvest’s Kids Weekend Backpack Feeding Program distributed close to 50,000 food packs to 1,600 school children on Long Island, a nearly 400 percent increase since the program was launched in 2006. The Mazzola Foundation grant will purchase 1,275 weekend food packs. Overall funding for the program is provided by corporate and individual donations and other private sources.