McCracken County Backpack Program
The McCracken County 4-H Backpack Program
The 4-H Backpack program was established twenty years ago by McCracken County teenagers at a 4-H Issues Conference. Teens were to take an issue that impacted our community and find a way to make a difference. Many of our children in the City and County school systems are fortunate enough to have parents who can provide for them. Unfortunately, many do their best to make ends meet but still need additional help.
The backpack program is for school-aged youth who do not know where their next meal will come from. Teachers and Family Resource Center Coordinators identify youth who fit these criteria. Each Friday, children are sent home with a backpack filled with food for the weekend so that they will not go hungry. Each week extension personnel purchase food and bring items to McCracken County High School. Students and 4-H teens fill the backpacks with a variety of food and snacks that are easily consumed without any preparation. We have had tremendous success, but the demand for food is greater than the supply. Our program begins in August and concludes at the end of May (school calendar.) We supply roughly 450 backpacks to children weekly with food purchased only from community monetary contributions.
Donations of money can be mailed to 2025 New Holt Road Paducah, KY 42001. Checks can be made out to the McCracken County 4-H Leaders Council. This contribution is tax deductible and benefits school-aged youth in McCracken County and Paducah City schools. Any help you can provide to this program will be a tremendous help and give back tenfold to what you could imagine.
How To Support The Backpack Program
Did you know you can support the McCracken County Backpack Program while you shop at Kroger? The Backpack Program provides food bags for nearly 450 students in McCracken County to take home every weekend and we always need donations to keep this program going!
The Kroger Community Rewards program is a fantastic initiative that helps local organizations like ours through your everyday shopping. Here's how you can get involved:
1. Create a digital account:
To participate in Kroger Community Rewards, you'll need a digital account. If you already have one, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account.
2. Link your Card to MCCE:
Sign in to your digital account.
Search for MCCRACKEN County 4-H Leaders Council
Enter our name or NPO number (PB802)
Select us from the list and click “Save”.
Our selected organization will then be linked to your account. You can always review or change your selection in your Account details.
3. Shop and support:
Now, every time you shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card, a portion of your purchase will go towards supporting McCracken County’s Backpack Program.
It's an effortless way to make a difference in your community, so why not start today? Let's make each shopping trip count for a brighter tomorrow!
Rachael L Davis
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(270) 554-9520 rachaelldavis@uky.edu McCracken County Extension Office 2025 New Holt Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42001-9755Lisa C. Dodson
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(270) 554-9520 lisa.dodson@uky.edu McCracken County Extension Office 2025 New Holt Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42001-9755Heather Hunter
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(270) 554-9520 heather.hunter@uky.edu McCracken County Extension Office 2025 New Holt Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42001-9755
