Guilderland High School’s ("GHS") Weekend Backpack Meal Program is open to any GHS student who needs meal support on weekends. Students will receive a bag of semi-perishable food items every Friday. Possible foods could include boxed macaroni and cheese, canned fruit, granola bars, oatmeal, a fruit item, bread and occasional milk cards for a free gallon from Stewarts. Students will be able to discreetly pick up their backpack on Fridays at GHS.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: TO SIGN UP OR QUALIFY FOR THE BACKPACK PROGRAM Students are typically referred to the program by a teacher, social worker, staff member, school counselor or parent. If you are a parent looking to participate in the program or a community member who knows of a child or children who may be in need, please contact the Guilderland High School Social Work Department, the GHS Principal or the Counseling Center at (518) 861-8591. The program runs from around mid-October through the first week in June. If a family wishes for a child to participate in this program, please complete electronically the Guilderland High School Backpack Program Agreement & Waiver Form, and submit it to GHS. If you need a paper copy, please contact Heidi Cutler at [email protected].
Qualifying for Enrollment: To be enrolled in the program participants must submit the completed Guilderland High School Backpack Program Agreement & Waiver Form. Upon receipt, the applicant's form will be reviewed. Participation in the program is on a first come first serve basis since there is limited funding available for the program.
Once we receive a Participant's Information and Forms, we will notify the student/family if he/she has been accepted into the program. We will maintain a waitlist of all students with completed paperwork should an opening become available.
Once a student has been accepted into the program he or she will receive information about how to pick up their designated backpack. Each week he/she will return the designated backpack to school on Monday and we will place new food items in their backpack by the end of that week. They can then pick up their restocked backpack again on Friday for the upcoming weekend.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC - STUDENTS WILL BE RECEIVING THEIR FOOD IN A BAG THAT WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL. FAMILIES CAN DISPOSE OF THE BAG ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
There is NO cost to any family to participate in the program and your participation in this program will be kept confidential.
Teacher-Counselor-Staff Referrals
REFERRALS: GHS teachers and/or staff members may refer students who have potential need to either Heidi Cutler or Joan McGrath and may use a Referral Form.