Peekskill Schools Partner with Food Bank to Help Children
Peekskill City School District has partnered with Food Bank for Westchester (FBW) to help school children whose families are struggling to make ends meet. FBW is a non-profit organization dedicated to hunger relief for all Westchester families in need.
“Teachers know how hard it is for children to learn when they’re hungry,” said and Joseph Mosey, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Short attention spans, poor test-taking skills, and absences due to illness are all side effects of hunger that lead to poor academic performance.”
Through the FBW backpack program, 50 Peekskill students attending summer school and their families have received a bag containing enough food for three to four family meals over a weekend. According to FBW, weekends are times of greater food insecurity. Along with the food, families also receive recipes and nutrition information.
The program is coordinated by Alicia McCorvey, social worker, and Mosey. “Food for Westchester has been just great to work with and we really appreciate their help,” he affirms. “The foods that are donated are well-packaged and nutritious and the program is very well-organized. We are exploring the possibility of expanding the program in the fall.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.