The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana's Backpack Program is designed to provide weekend meals to children in need. For many kids, the only dependable meals they receive are breakfast and lunch at school. So when they go home for the weekend, these children often don't have anything to eat, or don't have enough to eat. This means they return to school on Monday unprepared to learn. Studies have shown that hungry kids not only do worse in school, but they also have more health and behavioral problems than do children consistently getting enough to eat.
The Backpack Program provides children in need with 6 nutritious meals and 2 snacks that will get them through the weekend and ready to learn when they get back to school. The food is all "kid friendly" which means they don't need mom or dad around to prepare it for them. We also always provide some type of fresh fruit with the Backpack.
In Portage Township, 4,360 students, 52% of school children, are eligible for the free or reduce priced meal program. Help us make sure these children are getting the nutrition they need to succeed in school and in life. You can make a difference in the lives of children in your community by partnering with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and our Backpack Program.
For more information, click here.