One in five kids in Nebraska and western Iowa under the age of 18 is at-risk for hunger. The BackPack Program is designed to provide food for hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as during weekends and school vacations.

Staff members at local elementary schools identify chronically hungry students then Food Bank for the Heartland supplies packs filled with nutritious food for those children to take home on Friday afternoons. Each pack provides two breakfast meals and two lunch or dinner meals. They are delivered to participating schools by Food Bank for the Heartland volunteers and staff members.

The BackPack Program launched in 2006 with just three schools participating, and today we are feeding over 4,704 children each week in 182 schools across Nebraska and western Iowa. To learn more, please contact Michelle Sause, Child Hunger Program Coordinator, at Food Bank for the Heartland at 402.905.4811.

With the rising cost of living expenses, more and more families are struggling to make ends meet. A gift of $160 provides one child a weekend backpack for the entire school year. Contact Brian Barks, Director of Development & PR, at 402.905.4808 for sponsorship information.

Donate online using the Virtual BackPack Drive sponsored by the Woodhouse Auto Family.

Weekly Backpack Chart

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