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Backpack Program
 
KIDS NEED YOUR HELP THIS SCHOOL YEAR
DONATE
Learning can be difficult when you are facing hunger. You can help give every child a chance to excel this school year and beyond.
 

How it works. 

• The Backpack Program provides food year-round to children in need for weekends and holidays when school is not in session and federal school meal programs are not available.
  
• Backpacks are stocked with kid-friendly, nutritious food including shelf-stable milk and juice, meals such as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs and beef stew, granola bars, apple sauce, cereal and more.
  
• They are distributed on Fridays or the last day before a holiday or vacation in a discreet manner at schools.
  

Program Objectives:
● Provide children at-risk of hunger with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for preparation and consumption at home
● Distribute food within safe sites that offer easy access to the children being served
● Involve additional resources and partners in order to assure sustainability of the program

Program Outcomes:
● Reduce health problems in children served by mitigating negative consequences of undernutrition
● Remove the barrier of hunger that contributes to poor school performance
● Empower school personnel to take direct action to benefit hungry children
● Increase awareness among parents and guardians of resources available to low-income families in their community
● Increase awareness of positive nutrition to students’ families

List of requested items
● Individual cereal bowls-whole grain preferred
● Macaroni and cheese microwavable pull top meals
● Kid-friendly microwavable spaghetti and meatballs
● Pop-top cans stew
● Instant oatmeal
● Juice boxes
● Shelf-stable milk 8oz
● Fruit Cups
● Applesauce pouches or cups
● Granola bars