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GREEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Regional Food Bank and Hannaford Supermarkets team up to launch the Backpack Buddies program at Green Island's Heatly Elementary School.

Qualifying students will receive a backpack filled with nutritious foods to take home with them.

When the kids head home for the weekend, they'll be able to take a backpack home with them so they can have healthy snacks to choose from, including canned vegetables and granola bars.

Officials say it's important to make sure kids meet their nutritional needs so they can stay focused at school.

Hannaford Community Relations Specialist Molly Tarleton said, "There's a great protein source, they have bread, a snack, fresh fruit, things for breakfast, canned vegetables this week. This is food kids can eat throughout the weekend so when they come to school Monday, they aren't hungry, and they can learn and thrive."

The backpack program was started in 2007 and is now available at 24 schools in the Capital Region. The program serves more than 500 students a week.