Backpack
The Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack program ensures that students who are chronically hungry have access to adequate food over the weekend by providing them with a backpack full of nutritious, kid-friendly food every Friday during the school year.
The Backpack Program is a collaboration with public schools to provide bags full of food that fit in a child’s backpack so that kids who are hungry have food during the weekend when school meals are not available. The program delivers discreet, lightweight bags that contain two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and two snacks – enough food to nourish the kids over the weekend.
- 64,350 Backpacks Distributed Statewide
- 1,350 Children Served
- 165 Schools Participating
- 56 School Districts
About the Backpack Program
The Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack program ensures that students who are chronically hungry have access to adequate food over the weekend by providing them with a backpack full of nutritious, kid-friendly food every Friday during the school year.
I have one student who was researching how to find food on his school computer, then we got him signed up for the program and he is excited every week when he gets a bag to take home.
School Survey
Making a Difference in Children’s Lives
The Backpack Program does far more than satisfy an empty stomach. It improves child’s social, emotional and physical well-being. In addition, it creates happier families by relieving parents of the fear and anxiety associated with not being able to provide for their children. When basic needs are met, children and families can thrive.
Kids have told me they would starve over the weekend without the bags. They are so happy to have the security of food bags and know they will not go hungry. Their parents are grateful as It helps kids feel cared for, their needs are met, and they do better at school.
School Coordinator
PARENTS & SCHOOL SURVEY
Results Tell the Story
- 95% of parents definitely or somewhat agreed that the Backpack Program has made a positive difference in the well-being of their child.
- 94% of school coordinators rated the Backpack Program as very beneficial to children and families.
- 95% of parents definitely or somewhat agreed that the Backpack Program helped stretch their household dollars to be used for other critical family needs.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Challenges with Remote Learning
Several schools in Southwest Idaho that participate in The Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack Program recognized that remote learning could decrease children’s access to food. To address the needs of those children, several schools got creative by loading school buses with ready-to-eat meals from the cafeteria, as well as Backpacks from The Idaho Foodbank. The buses followed their regular routes and were able to hand out this food at neighborhood stops.
We cannot thank the hard-working school counselors, teachers and administrators enough for making healthy food possible for thousands of children across Idaho this past year.
The Idaho Foodbank 2023 Annual Report
In fiscal year 2023, food for 23.8 million meals distributed statewide with 86% of all food being nutritious. Over 212,922 people served any given month from our facilities in Meridian, Pocatello, and Lewiston, and through our network of over 440 community distribution partners statewide.