SHERBURNE – The Sherburne-Earlville class of 2005 is making the most of their 10-year reunion by giving back to their community by way of their alma mater.

Forfeiting funds traditionally used for things like catering and entertainment, class of 2005 members collectively opted to use their milestone anniversary to donate to the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District’s “Backpack Program,” an initiative that provides food to children whose main source of nutrition during the week is breakfast and lunch served in the school cafeteria. Specifically, the program is geared toward kids who may not have a steady source of food on the weekend.

“As a class, we were trying to come up with what we wanted to do for our 10-year reunion,” explained class member Emma Golden. “None our ideas really stuck until people started throwing out ideas about giving back to the community.”

With that, Golden said she, with the help of her peers, started researching how they could pitch in – and every avenue led back to the Sherburne-Earlville School District.

“We figured it would be better to put our money into something meaningful,” she added. “So we started reaching out to the folks at the school and found the program that we felt was the best fit for us.”

S-E’s Backpack Program was started by alumnus Taylor Morris, and has since continued through the help of high school student volunteers and the district’s Elementary School Student Council. It’s sustained by monetary and food donations from students, community groups, and school staff.

The program provides nutritious, shelf-stable and kid-friendly food placed in backpacks on Fridays. Foods include peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits and vegetables, crackers, juice boxes, granola bars, concentrated juice, boxes of cereal, macaroni and cheese, canned pasta, rice, tuna, beans, and other shelf-stable, easily prepared foods.

Class of 2005 members who are unable to attend the class reunion scheduled for this Saturday have been sending in money, said Golden. “We’ve gotten a lot of support.”

A family event for the reunion is planned for Saturday at Paddelford Park in Sherburne, followed by an adults only event at Richie’s Bar and Grill Saturday night. Richie’s has also agreed to a monetary donation to help the Backpack Program. Food will be provided by Joe and Vinny’s of Sherburne.