Stonington — The Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center is seeking monetary donations for its Weekender Backpack Program for Children, which provides food to almost 290 children in Stonington, North Stonington or Westerly each weekend throughout the year.

To qualify, children must be on the federal free or reduced-price lunch program and live in one of the three towns. Every Friday, parents of qualifying children can pick up a backpack filled with milk, in addition to bread, peanut butter, soup and other foods. The center pays more than $5,000 to provide fresh milk for the students for the year.

According to center Executive Director Vicki Anderson, some children in low-income households may not have as much to eat on the weekends and summers as they do during the school week. The program has been in existence since 2005, and the need continues to grow, according to the center.

Donations can be mailed to or dropped off at the neighborhood center, 27 Chase St., Pawcatuck, CT 06379. Please indicate on the check that the donation is for the backpack program.