Fill ‘Em Up! Supporting the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Backpack Program The Fill ‘Em Up project during Homecoming & Family Weekend aims to fill a Thomas mini bus with food donations and deliver them to the Good Shepherd Food Bank for its BackPack Program. When a child faces chronic hunger, learning is an incredibly steep uphill battle. The Good Shepherd Food Bank’s BackPack Program provides Maine kids who suffer the effects of chronic hunger with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to eat during weekends and school vacations when school meals are unavailable. The BackPack Program serves kids in 39 school communities. Fill ‘Em Up will fill the Thomas mini bus, fill children’s empty tummies, and in turn, help to fill their hungry and growing minds. Rallying the Thomas community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and all guests – for this worthy cause fits perfectly with our commitment to education and community service. Please bring your donated food items to the mini bus on Saturday, 10/17 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, 10/18 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. We’ll be located in the heart of campus, on the green between the Spann Student Commons, the Alfond Academic Center, and the Ayotte Center. We will offer “door prizes” and giveaways! Load your donation onto the mini bus and help us feed hungry kids’ bodies and minds. Wondering what to donate? These items are perfect (and preferred!) for the BackPack Program: Whole wheat pasta Boxed mac ‘n cheese Brown rice Spaghetti sauce Chicken and rice soup Beef and veggie soup Canned carrots or mixed veggies Canned green or black beans Canned chicken Fruit cups Fruit squeezes Oatmeal pouches FMI, please contact Erin Baltes at Thomas College at baltese@thomas.edu or ext. 327. PS: Students, earn volunteer hours by helping out during Homecoming & Family Weekend! Contact Erin Baltes at baltese@thomas.edu to sign up for a shift.