Keith Patrick, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the District, said because of fast District growth, Frenship has added more funding partners and has adapted the project to accommodate each student in need.

“The Rotary Club of Lubbock and their foundation contribute around half of the funds, and their membership plans the program,” Patrick said. “In addition, multiple community partners contribute the other half of the funds and Rotary manages the budget for the program and works directly with United Supermarkets to place the large food order.”

Patrick explained this is where many students and community partners then get involved in this process.

“Rotary Club and community partner volunteers, Frenship staff, and students all pitch in filling more than 400 backpacks and string bags with food for the Christmas break," Patrick said "This is just one of the many ways our Frenship family continues to serve those around them.”

Grant Phillips is a senior at Frenship High School and member of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Board. This is his fourth year to be part of the Frenship Food Backpack project.

"This is one of our community service projects each year as part of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Board," Phillips said. "We do this on top of making blankets that we take to people undergoing cancer treatment and a few other things we do throughout the year."

Phillips explained this is one project that he is always excited to help with and that it means even more because he knows it is helping his fellow Frenship Tigers.

"It is incredibly impactful to know that what we are doing is helping the kids we sit next to in class to ensure they have a better holiday break," Phillips said. "I always just hope that I am giving them the chance to have a good break, too."

Phillips said he is always impressed that alongside his Superintendent's Student Advisory Board peers, the Willow Bend Student Council, and Frenship community partners, he is able to impact so many people.

"The sheer size is what is so amazing to me," Phillips said. "You know, when we make the blankets, we make six or so, but when we pack these backpacks we are impacting 400 plus students that are going to have food security for the holidays. That to me is the best part - all the lives we get to make better with this project."