My name is Jason Bertrand, and I am the Superintendent of the School District of Crandon.

This year, a key focus is ensuring that our students’ basic needs are met. Without access to essentials, such as nutritious food, clothing, hygiene products, adequate sleep, and stable housing, students cannot fully engage in learning or reach their full potential.

Currently, 58.8% of our students, 475 children in our district, come from economically disadvantaged homes. This means they are either in foster care or live in households that participate in government assistance programs such as FoodShare or Medicaid. To qualify for these programs, families must fall below a certain percentage of the federal poverty level. In other words, the majority of our students are living in poverty.

We know that hunger has a direct impact on learning, behavior, and emotional well-being. Hungry children often struggle to focus, have higher rates of absenteeism, and may face academic challenges.

The Weekend Backpack Program ensures that no student has to worry about where their next meal will come from over the weekend. It’s one way we are addressing poverty-related barriers to student success.

The program provides students with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for weekends and school breaks. Each Friday, participating students discreetly receive a backpack filled with healthy, shelf-stable food items, placed in their lockers. Students return the empty backpacks on Monday morning to be refilled for the following weekend.

This effort is made possible through partnerships with our two tribal nations, local churches, businesses, and volunteers. It reflects the strong community spirit in Crandon, with everyone stepping up to care for our children. We are deeply grateful to the organizations and families who donate food, funds, or time to support this program.

Beyond providing meals, the Weekend Backpack Program sends a powerful message: our community cares. With ongoing support through donations, grants, and awareness efforts, this program will continue to provide not only food but also hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging for our students.