Back Pack Program
Your 100 dollar gift will provide for one child for the entire school year!
What is the BackPack Program?
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The Backpack Program is an undertaking of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan which
attempts to reduce child hunger, educate students on proper nutrition and
promote healthy lifestyles. Each weekend,children receive backpacks of
nutritious foods to supplement
weekend meals at home through the Food Bank’s Backpack Program.
Designed to provide extra support during weekends for children who typically
receive free or reduced priced lunches at school, this innovative program is
currently helping families in Flint, Lapeer, Saginaw, Buena Vista, Sanillac and Midland.
The program provides children who are at-risk of hunger, nutritious food every
weekend throughout the school year. The program began in 2004 with 50 backpacks
in 2 elementary schools. Currently the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan serves
4,300 children in 99 schools from 14 different counties.
Is this a government supported program?
No. We depend entirely upon the community and some grant monies to run the
programs. Typically grants are used to get a progam off the ground until
support can be found to sustain the particular school.
What about the free and reduced school lunch programs? Doesn't this apply?
No they do not. The Federal funded reduced or free lunch programs provide
meals while these children are in school. The Back Pack Program steps in
to assist these same kids over the weekends when school is not in session.
How does it work?
Volunteers and site personnel are essential in order to have a successful
Backpack Program. Helpers will be involved in each of the following steps.
1. Receiving the food delivery.
2. Breaking down cases into individual units.
3. Distributing the food into the backpacks according to the site instructions.
4. Distributing the backpacks to the children.
5. Collecting backpacks the following week for another cycle.
What types of food items are in a typical backpack?
Depending on the site and funding source, here’s what the Food Bank considers
when selecting Backpack products;
•single serving
•tasty
•individually wrapped
•shelf stable
•nutritious
•kid friendly
•easy to prepare
•microwaveable
Each Backpack contains food products from the following groups; Fresh Fruits and/or
Vegetables, Dairy, Grain, and a source of Protein.
How can I help?
Your donations in support of the program is the single best way to help the
cause. You can also get involved with your local community schools and
help bring the program to your local district. You may volunteer your services
to help stuff backpacks during the school day.
Your gift will aid in the efforts to relieve childhood hunger.
Thank You for your support!