We estimate that 1 in 7 children within Nebraska and western Iowa is food insecure. The BackPack Program is one of the programs Food Bank for the Heartland supports to fight childhood hunger. Launched in 2006 with just three schools, the BackPack Program is designed to provide weekend meals for children whose families have limited resources. Thanks to the investment of our community, 253 schools in 112 school districts participated in 2022, distributing more than 1.2 million meals to children struggling with food insecurity. 8,381 packs were distributed to schools each week during the academic school year. Each pack contains four meals, consisting of easy-to-prepare or ready-to-eat nutritious food. A typical pack includes two breakfast items like cereal or oatmeal, two entrees, a fruit pouch, one juice, and two milk cartons. The cost to provide one child with weekend meals for the academic school year is $164. In portions of the Food Bank's service area, the BackPack Program is the only food assistance option to which families have access. These meals help nourish children over the weekend and enable them to thrive in school and better reach developmental milestones.
Join in on this fundraising effort of kids helping kids from April 17 to April 21.
Click your middle school below to donate funds or bring canned food to donate at your school!
And as a special bonus, Woodhouse Auto Family will double your impact by matching your donations—up to $500,000.
We are grateful to have Elkhorn Middle School Student Councils, the students, staff, families, and the community join us in the fight against childhood hunger!
100% of these funds represent a gift to the Food Bank for the Heartland with no return benefit being derived by the donor.