YCSO deputies deliver backpacks to students
Deputies from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office volunteered their time last week to help deliver 158 backpacks filled with nutritional foods and snacks to students at the Dateland and Mohawk Valley Elementary Schools.
YCSO spokesperson Alfonso Zavala explained that the deliveries were made as part of the Yuma Community Food Bank’s Back Pack Program, which is geared toward providing children with nutritious food to eat on the weekend when school is not in session.
Zavala went on to say that when Deputy August Turner, who patrols eastern Yuma County, found out the food bank was looking for volunteers to help get the backpacks to the students, she approached the sheriff’s office about wanting to get involved.
“The sheriff’s office fully supported her decision to do so,” Zavala said.
During the school week, students have access to free and reduced-price meals, but those options are not available during the weekend. That means some children may have a few days with less to eat. That is where the food bank’s program comes in.
Each week the food bank drops off backpacks filled with nutritious food and snacks to the various schools throughout Yuma County that are participating in the program so students will have enough to eat for the weekend.
Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot praised deputy Turner for her efforts in a posting on the department’s official Twitter feed.
“I’m proud to highlight one of our deputies who reached out and took it upon herself to volunteer and assist,” Wilmot wrote. “One of our goals as a sheriff’s office is to engage and serve our community to better the quality of life.”
The Yuma Community Food Bank is working in conjunction with schools to provide 19,000 back packs annually. The program is is funded by grants from Feeding America Red Nose DAV. NBAZ Charities Albertsons.