Johnson Controls Foundation has significantly bolstered the ‘Backpack’ Food Distribution Program by awarding two $60,000 grants, totaling $120,000, for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. This substantial 400 percent increase over past years’ grant awards is a testament to the growing number of children in need. These children, who are part of the program, face food scarcity on weekends, during school breaks, and over the summer when free and reduced school lunches are not available. The increased funding will help us provide more meals to these children, ensuring they don’t go hungry.

The “Backpack” program, run in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marinette, expresses sincere gratitude to Johnson Controls Foundation for this outstanding contribution to the community and for exemplifying JCI’s values of “…doing well by doing good.” It is by investing in our neighbors, families, and children that we build a strong and close-knit community. Thank you, JCI, and all those who give of their time and effort in this worthy and much-needed program that is keeping our children healthy.

The program, started in 2016, has already added 30 additional bags since the start of this school year bringing the total to 330 each week covering ten schools in Marinette and Menominee School Districts. Volunteer drivers are always needed to help deliver bags. If you wish to have more information or can help with your time or monetary contributions, please contact program leaders Maggie Faccio or Jill Kakuk at 715-735-7411. Many hands make light work.