From L to R: Alex Waskow, Sandra Vishnevsky, Cecilia Telefus, and Heng-Scheng Chuang of Dealer.com build packs for the BackPack Program with John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO (middle).

The Vermont Foodbank proudly welcomed several employees from Dealer.com who volunteered for the BackPack Program, a weekend program designed to meet the nutritional needs of children when other resources like school meals are unavailable. The company’s volunteers spent the day packing food for backpacks that get distributed to more than 1,000 Vermont children throughout 25 different schools each week.

Now in its 7th year, the BackPack Program provides participants with kid-friendly, nutritious food from all five food groups. Guidance counselors, school nurses and other staff help identify students most in need and send permission slips home to their parents explaining the program. Food is discreetly placed in the backpacks of participating children while students are not in the classroom.

“We are proud to be involved with the important initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank,” said Jill Badolato, Corporate Social Responsibility program owner at Dealer.com. “There are far too many hungry, malnourished children in our state. The BackPack program is a major step in helping to set kids up for success by bringing them nutritious food that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.”

“We are thrilled to have the support of Dealer.com. Their regular volunteerism and now with their support of the BackPack Program have been incredibly impactful to the Vermont Foodbank,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “Dealer.com’s partnership provides the resources needed to ensure that Vermont kids have the food they need to live healthier lives.”

We couldn’t provide the BackPack Program without your support either, so please consider giving to the Vermont Foodbank today!