The Bear Bags program began in 2010 and exists to provide nutritious food over the weekend to Bryan City School families in need throughout the school year. According to the Ohio Department of Education, at least 39% of BCS students are eligible for free and reduced priced lunches due to living in households with low
income. While national funding is used to feed these children at school, food insecurity is a persistent challenge on weekends and other days that school is not in
session. The Bear Bags program was created to help meet the need of food insecurity outside the school building and school day. During the 23/24 school year, the Bear Bags program was able to pack and send home 2,488 bags of nutritious food for our students. That was an increase of over 1,100 bags from just the year before. The exceptional need continues as we are currently averaging 75 bags sent home each weekend during the 24/25 school year. The Bear Bags program is funded solely through donations from generous community organizations and members, and is run by volunteers committed to helping Bryan students and families have what they need.
