Frankfort Rotary gives to DECA's Backpack Buddies

INDIANAPOLIS (Press Release) - Frankfort High School marketing students have raised over $10,000 to help feed hungry elementary students. Community Schools of Frankfort has between 150-160 elementary students who suffer from weekend food insecurities. Frankfort DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) created a community service project in August 2011 entitled, Backpack Buddies.

Backpack Buddies "Be a Buddy....Feed Your Future" is committed to collecting monetary and product donations, purchasing large quantities of food, packaging and distributing 100 food bags every Friday for 35 weeks. In order for the project to be successful, Frankfort DECA needed to raise at least $8,000. As of January 19, 2011, Frankfort DECA had raised over $10,000 midway through the campaign. As money continues to be donated to the project, confidence to continue Backpack Buddies next school year continues to grow.

Many individuals, churches, corporations, and organizations have contributed, such as:

Frankfort Wal-Mart
Archer Daniels Midland
Regions Bank
Frankfort Rotary (donated $3,100)
Frankfort Frito-Lay
Frankfort Kiwanis

Unfortunately previous organizations who provided food for children in the Frankfort, Indiana, community lost funding leading up to this school year. Frankfort DECA has taken on the challenge of feeding 100 children for the entire school year by being responsible, showing compassion, and utilizing marketing skills. As a Frankfort DECA member shared, "Children at the Clinton County Boys and Girls Club are so excited to have food to eat on the weekends." As one child exclaimed, "I have a Buddy who gives me food to eat every weekend! I am so lucky! The juice box is my favorite!"

Every week Frankfort elementary children receive 7-9 easy to prepare food items to help get them through the weekend. During long holiday breaks more food is distributed to each student. This past Christmas students received 29 food items for the 2 week Christmas break.

Any company, organization, or individual who is interested in donating, please contact deca@frankfort.k12.in.us or call Branon Renick at Frankfort High School (765) 654-8545.