By Kim Gasuras | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS— The Bucyrus Backpack Program is continuing to see record growth, with weekly food bag distributions climbing to as many as 573 bags, the highest number packed to date, and most weeks since January reaching at least 555 bags.
Kathy Wells, president of the Bucyrus Backpack Program, said what began in 2010 as a small effort to provide weekend meals to students in Bucyrus City Schools has grown into a countywide program now serving hundreds of families across Crawford County. Wells said the increase has required adjustments behind the scenes to keep up with demand.
“We have had to change our ordering from Second Harvest,” Wells said, noting the program started the school year ordering about 525 of each product before increasing to 540 and now 570. “We have had to substitute products because we didn’t order enough of certain things.”
While most food items continue to come from the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, Wells said the program has also turned to Sam’s Club to supplement snacks, resulting in slightly higher costs. Even so, the organization has managed to keep the cost of each bag under $5, with a recent spring and Easter bag slightly exceeding that mark. Despite the growth, Wells said community support remains strong.
“Crawford County has continued to be amazing supporters of our program,” she said, adding that updated brochures are in the works and encouraging residents to support the program through Kroger Rewards.
The Backpack Program provides weekend meals throughout the school year to students who may not have enough food when school is not in session. There is no formal application process. Instead, school staff members identify students in need and coordinate weekly distribution. Each bag contains two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and three snacks.
Wells said the program started with about 105 bags per week for Bucyrus Elementary students before expanding to middle and high school students and eventually to other districts throughout the county. Today, the program serves nearly every district in Crawford County except Galion City Schools, which operates its own program. During the 2024-2025 school year, Bucyrus City Schools received 4,388 bags, with 3,861 distributed to elementary students and 527 to middle and high school students.
Other participating schools and totals include:
- Colonel Crawford: 1,950
- Wynford: 2,604
- Buckeye Central: 2,595
- Crestline: 2,598
- GOAL Digital Academy: 465
- Galion St. Joseph: 339
- High Road of Bucyrus: 379
- Fairway Preschool: 300
- YMCA Preschool: 64
In total, 15,682 bags were packed last school year, which is an increase of 771 bags compared to the previous year.
The program operates out of the Bucyrus Schools Lincoln Administration Building on Plymouth Street, where approximately 22 volunteers gather each week to unload food and pack bags. In total, 676 volunteers contributed their time last year.
“It’s for the kids,” said Mark Makeever, a board member and regular volunteer. Wells said the program was launched with the help of a grant and has since relied on a combination of grants, donations and community partnerships. “The community has always been very supportive,” she said.
The Bucyrus Backpack Program has been recognized for its impact, earning the Chamber of Commerce’s Organization of the Year award twice. Wells said the need continues to grow. “We can always use more volunteers and donations,” she said.
Those interested in volunteering can contact the Bucyrus Backpack Program through its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069247564194 or by email at bucyrusbackpack@gmail.com. Financial donations can also be made online via a PayPal link on the program’s Facebook page.
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