RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- A group of Richmond students will be carrying something other than homework in their backpacks this weekend.
With the help of the insurance company Cigna, Blackwell Elementary is launching the "Blessings in a Backpack” program.
It provides needy students with nutritious food to eat at home over the weekend.
“We have a high number of our students who are on free and reduced lunch. And we see that there’s an increase on Monday mornings for breakfast and also on Fridays at lunch time,” said Blackwell Elementary Principal Reginald Williams. “This program provides them nourishment over the weekend, which can provide them to perform better in the classroom.”
Blackwell, which is the first Richmond school to participate in the national program, has about 200 students that are eligible to take part in the program.
