SYRACUSE — The Boomerang Backpacks program has stayed plenty productive since Kellie Newcomer took over as the new program coordinator in the early summer months. Wawasee High School students take part in the program each week by helping fill bags with food and get them ready to send home with low-income elementary students.

With local business donations and a great amount of support from the community, Boomerang Backpacks has received funding to help about 360 students within Wawasee Community Schools. Boomerang Backpacks supplies easy to make meals that are non-perishable and usually don’t require heating or cooling to prepare. Items are purchased through the funding, or donated through the Milford Food Bank.

Each bag contains two protein items, two carbohydrates, one fruit, one juice and two breakfast items. Some examples of foods that go into the bags are: chicken noodle soup, crackers, peanut butter, oatmeal and fruit juices. The bags are sent home Friday afternoon to keep students fed during the weekend. Currently, the program is not able to fund all of the needs, however, as they work to increase awareness and donations to be able to pack bags for holidays and breaks.

Vince Beasley, assistant principal of the high school, noted 47 percent of students in the school system are receiving free or reduced price lunches, a massive number of students. Beasley emphasized the importance of adding to the services Boomerang Backpack offers, as the community continues to reach out to local businesses for donations.

Taylor Burkhart, educator at WHS, also sees the educational value in the program. The students packing bags Wednesday, Sept. 9, came from Burkhart’s principles in marketing course, and were able to see the cost benefit of volunteer work. Beasley noted one of the goals in having students packing bags is to “expose students to the philanthropic side of the community.”

Newcomer has reached out and found support from many community members, and still works closely with former coordinator Connie Geer. Newcomer set goals for the program, including adding more items to each bag that is sent home and providing meals during school breaks.

Businesses and community members interested in helping with the program through funding or volunteer services can contact Newcomer by email at [email protected] or by phone at (574) 532-7957. Donations can also be mailed to Wawasee High School at 1 Warrior Path, Syracuse, Indiana, 46567 addressed to Boomerang Backpacks.

To learn more about the program, visit www.boomerangbackpacks.org.