BUCYRUS — Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio has contacted the administration of the Bucyrus Backpack Program to make food available to Crawford County residents who are in need during this difficult time of the pandemic caused by COVID-19.

Virginia Hammontree, treasurer and purchasing agent for the Bucyrus Backpack Program, said Second Harvest saw a need and stepped forward to put this distribution in motion.

“The Bucyrus Backpack Program purchases a good deal of our food from Second Harvest. They were aware that our program provides weekend meals to students at Bucyrus, Wynford, Colonel Crawford and Fairway school districts and the number of children being served at each location,” Hammontree said. “It was easy to see the need was big, growing, and needed addressed. They know how to make things happen in a short time.”

Distribution of the 500 boxes of food for residents throughout the county will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 13 at Bucyrus High School

Hammontree said staff members, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers and 15 Ohio National Guardsmen will come with the truck as they provide the boxes of food to county residents.

“Please be sure your trunk is empty and cleaned out before coming to the location,” Hammontree said. “Should anyone be interested in making a cash donation directly to the Backpack Program to help with the growing need for the rest of this year and in preparation of next year, checks should be made payable to Bucyrus Backpack Program, LLC. Normally our mail goes to the Lincoln Administration building but during this time when the school is closed, donations can be mailed in care of Virginia Hammontree, Treasurer, 3130 Oak Drive, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820.”

For more information about Second Harvest, visit https://www.secondharvestfoodbank.org.