Liverpool — In the two and a half years since she became the school nurse at Long Branch Elementary School in Liverpool, Bianca Marcoccia noticed that more and more kids seemed to be coming to her hungry.

“I noticed an increased need. More children were getting hungry during the day,” Marcoccia said. “They weren’t bringing a snack or didn’t have the ability to bring a snack.”

According to the New York State Department of Education, 227 of LBE’s students, or 49 percent, qualified as “economically disadvantaged” for the 2014-15 school year (districtwide, that figure is 38 percent). In order to receive that designation, students or their families had to participate in some kind of economic assistance programs, such as the free or reduced-price lunch programs, Social Security Insurance, Food Stamps (SNAP), foster care, Refugee Assistance (cash or medical assistance), Earned Income Tax Credit, Home Energy Assistance Program, Safety Net Assistance, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or Family Assistance: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Marcoccia is right about the increase; the percentage of children who attend LBE who qualified as economically disadvantaged had held steady at 43 percent for the 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years, according to NYSED. So shortly after Thanksgiving, inspired by a similar program at Nate Perry Elementary School, Marcoccia began collecting donations of nonperishable food items and filling backpacks with them and sending the backpacks home with LBE’s neediest students.

While some asked for help, Marcoccia said she gave some of the backpacks out based on her own instincts and knowledge of her student population.

“I noticed some families were struggling. I was able to reach out to some, but I think there’s a big fear associated with asking for help,” she said. “I paid attention and noticed what kids came in and seemed like they needed it, and pulled some kids aside and asked them if they’d had anything to eat, if they’d had a snack last night, if they’d had breakfast before coming to school. My motherly instinct kicked in and I just sent a backpack home.”

continued — Marcoccia said no one has rejected the backpacks yet, so she believes her instincts were on target.

“When a family is in need, they can be reluctant to tell someone,” she said. “But if you just give them what they need, if their child just comes home with it, it’s a gift. Very few people will reject a gift. And I’ve never received a rejection.”

Those gifts are made possible through the generosity of the school community, as well as a number of local businesses. The school’s PTCO has reached out to a number of area companies for donations, and they’ve been happy to oblige; TJ Maxx has donated backpacks, while Bruegger’s Bagels has provided gift certificates to help LBE’s families. The school also received donations from Tops Friendly Markets, Byrne Dairy, Walmart, Wegmans on Route 57, First Niagara Bank, Liehs & Steigerwald on Route 31 in Clay and Price Chopper Supermarkets. Meanwhile, the LBE community has stepped up in a big way.

“We have so many families that want to give,” Marcoccia said. “Some families send their students to school with bags for food, and in turn we send that home with the kids and the families who need it. It’s kind of a give and take.”

Giving is an important part of life at LBE; in addition to the backpack program, Marcoccia provides coats, hats and gloves to students who need them. She’s also sent kids home with shoes or boots.

“There’s a lot of need here,” said Marcoccia, who worked in the Syracuse City School District before coming to Liverpool. “The need in Syracuse is known. The need in Liverpool is just as much there, but it’s a silent need. We think we shouldn’t have such great need, but unfortunately, we do. You think there’s so much opportunity, but some people don’t have it.”

Marcoccia said it’s important for those who do have enough to make sure they share that abundance with others.

“If you have it at home, if you have it for yourselves, you’re able to give,” she said, “even if it means giving up a dinner out or an extra pair of shoes for your kids. It feels better to give than to have. If you see need around you, don’t ask questions. Just give from your heart.”