Our Programs
Tiger Packing in Action!
Watch this short time lapse video of our most recent Tiger Packing event.
Tiger Packs
Tiger Packs are backpacks with kid-friendly, nonperishable food items delivered to student's homes, at parent request, to bridge the food gap over long weekends and holiday breaks for kids who normally have free breakfast and lunch at school. Based on donations, we may also include other items of need such as hygiene products, school supplies, hats and gloves during winter months and even Christmas stockings over the Holiday Break. It is important for families participating in the Tiger Packs food assistance program to understand that these extra items are added when supplies are available, and may not be included in every Tiger Pack delivery.
Tiger Packs are confidential, need-based, and available only to students residing in Erie or attending an Erie partner school - Aspen Ridge Preparatory School, Black Rock Elementary, Erie Elementary, Erie Middle School, Erie High School, Highlands Elementary, Red Hawk Elementary and Soaring Heights Prek-8.
To apply for the 2024-25 Tiger Packs program, please click below to complete the online registration form. This must be done every school year.
TIGER PACKS
DELIVERY DATES
(Wednesdays)
Aug 28 Labor Day
Oct 9 4-day Weekend
Nov 20 Thanksgiving Break
Dec 18 Christmas Break
Jan 15 MLK Jr Day
Feb 12 Presidents’ Day
Mar 12 Spring Break
Apr 23 3-day Weekend
May 14 Last Tiger Pack
Emergency Assistance
We are all vulnerable to life altering events like the loss of a job, family emergencies and medical crises. It is comforting to know that in our darkest times, we are not alone. In these instances, Erie UpLink connects families in crisis with resources for temporary support through difficult situations. Needs and solutions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If you know an Erie family in need of emergency assistance, please contact us with a brief explanation of the situation to see if we are able to help.
Seasonal Support
Through our Tiger Packs program, we provide our families with seasonal items such as school supplies; hats, gloves and socks in winter months; and Christmas Stockings over the Holiday Break. We also partner with other organizations to collect specific items for our kids such as hoodies and pajamas. And, local volunteer groups assemble and donate seasonal treats such as Valentines, Easter goodies and activity kits.
Erie UpLink Scholars
Many students have the desire to go to college but have no idea where to begin to make this dream a reality. This is especially true for those who will be the first in their family to pursue higher education. To encourage these trailblazers, we sponsor local, first generation college students to receive post-secondary education counseling.
In partnership with Collegiate Crossings, students receive guidance on class selection, essays, resumes, financial planning, timelines, deadlines and more to successfully enroll in higher education that is suited to their needs. Students are nominated by their middle school counselor toward the end of their eighth-grade year, and if selected, receive a scholarship for four years of post-secondary guidance.
We also sponsor scholarships through the EHS Education Foundation for Tiger Pack recipients interested in pursuing higher education and partner with Teachers Who Tutor to assist students who are struggling academically.