HANCOCK, MI (AP)-- Four years since its inception, a program to feed hungry students on weekends now reaches nearly 200 kids in nine school districts in the Copper Country.
The program, called 31 Backpacks, covers Keweenaw and Houghton counties.
Laurel Maki, her daughter and a friend started it in 2012 when she heard about students going hungry on Saturday and Sunday.
Bags of food are put in backpacks for students to take home on Fridays. Maki says she's willing to serve as a mentor to people who want to start a similar service in Baraga and Ontonagon counties.
Maki says cash donations are used to buy food, and a food bank in Houghton also supplies items.
