Saranac Lake Central School District Superintendent Diane Fox, second from left, presents members of the Saranac Lake High School Class of 1960 — Barbara Buckley, left, and Mary Lou and Thomas Cassavaugh — with a Commendation of Appreciation for a nearly $6,000 donation to the district’s BackPack Program. (Photo provided)

SARANAC LAKE — Thanks to its Class of 1960, the Saranac Lake Central School District has begun its BackPack Program, which sends students in need home with healthy food.

The class donated nearly $6,000, letting the district start the program and partner with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, a press release from the district said. The program provides backpacks filled with child-friendly, shelf-stable food to more than 40 students who need nutritious meals on the weekends.

Thomas Cassavaugh, Mary Lou Cassavaugh and Barbara Buckley, representatives of the class, accepted a Commendation of Appreciation from district Board of Education.

“The high school students who volunteer their time to pack the backpacks each week are learning about what it really means to give, and the students receiving the backpacks are so very appreciative,” said program coordinator Ruth Pino, who is also in charge of food services for the district.

The Saranac Lake Teachers’ Association donated $2,500 last spring to meet the required fundraising goal to be admitted into the program, and community members have made individual donations. Anyone wishing to donate may send a check, indicating the funds should be directed to the BackPack Program, to Saranac Lake Central School Business Office, 79 Canaras Ave., Saranac Lake, NY 12983.