BARNWELL COLLECTS CANNED VEGETABLES FOR BACKPACK PROGRAM

Staff members at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell in Valatie along with family members and residents recently collected more than 100 canned vegetables for the Ichabod Crane BackPack Program. The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children on weekends when other food resources are not available. Supported by businesses, community organizations, religious organizations, and individuals, the 30-week program provides bags filled with food that are child-friendly, shelf-stable, and easily consumed. Bags are packed each week by school staff and discreetly distributed to participating children every Friday afternoon. Featured from the left are Alyse Smith, resident, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell; Bridget Delcoure, director of recreation, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell; Jessica Mascolo, art teacher, Ichabod Crane Middle School and program coordinator for Ichabod Crane’s BackPack program for the elementary and middle school; and Juan Marrero, resident, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell.