THE FOOD BANK FOR KIDS BACKPACK PROGRAM

Hearing firsthand stories about children digging in trash cans for food, hiding food in their pockets during school lunch, taking food from lunch pails in lockers – all happening on Fridays at school – led to the realization that the children were trying to find ways to ensure there would be food for the weekend.  This awareness compelled The Food Bank to organize an effort to provide food for children on weekends.

Local elementary school staff identify chronically hungry students and then The Food Bank supplies a backpack filled with two breakfast meals and two lunch/dinner meals for those students to take home Friday afternoon.  On Monday morning, the child returns the empty backpack to school to be filled with food and taken home again on Friday afternoon.  The Food Bank for Kids BackPack Program hopes to expand in order to meet children’s needs.

Currently, the BackPack Program is serving over 1,150 children in 15 schools in five school districts.

With the rising cost of everyday living expenses, more and more families are struggling to make ends meet. $126 provides one child a weekend backpack for the entire school year. Click here to learn how to donate.

If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring a child's backpack please contact Brian Barks at (402) 331-1213.