The Farmington School District is overwhelmingly grateful to our community for their support of the Community Teacher Association (CTA) Cares Backpack Program. Thanks to local businesses, organizations, and generous individuals, our food pantries are fully stocked, ensuring our students' needs are met outside the classroom.

There were a number of recent community-led initiatives and acts of generosity that led to the influx of donations. Bryant Restoration headlined a tailgate prior to the season-opening high school football game in Bonne Terre on August 28 to benefit both the Farmington and North County Backpack programs. Sponsored by Midwest Cajun Co., Unico Bank, Save A Lot, First State Community Bank, and Bryant Restoration, the event saw staff, students, and community members raise nearly $3,400 in direct donations that night. Additional donations from Parkland Health and Marler Towing pushed the total raised for the Farmington Backpack program alone to $5,130.

More recently, the Roost Play Cafe directed a $250 Thrivent grant toward purchasing needed food items to stock the district's pantry. Then Belgrade State Bank visited the district in honor of "Random Acts of Kindness Day" with a monetary donation to support the program's momentum.

"The CTA Cares Backpack program would not be able to operate without the support of our community," said CTA President Sheri Whitener. "The money used to fund the Backpack program in our district comes primarily from our community partners. In addition to monetary donations, we have been able to stock our pantry multiple times with food given to various drives around the area. We appreciate any and all who are willing to support the Backpack program."

We are immensely grateful to our Farmington partners, sponsors, and neighbors. Your generous support ensures that none of our students go hungry.