According to the USDA’s “Household Food Security in the United States in 2013,” 15.8 million American children left school on Fridays uncertain if they would have food to eat that weekend. In Meigs Local School District 100% of the student population is income-eligible for nutrition assistance programs based on the Department of Education’s Community Eligibility Provision. During the school week, most of these children depend on the federal free and reduced price meal program the school offers. Sometimes, the meals at school are the only ones they get. When the school closes its doors on Friday afternoon, many of these children go home to empty cupboards and hunger pangs for 65 hours until they return to school on Monday morning.  

Each week during the school year at Meigs Primary and Intermediate schools, food is transported to the school where a volunteer team packs bags of food and gives them to the teachers to distribute discreetly on Friday. Menu items are child-appropriate and include: oatmeal, granola bars, pasta, canned vegetables, raisins, popcorn, and fresh fruit when possible. On Monday mornings, after a hunger-free weekend, children return to school, ready to learn.  

Funding will support the continued services of Blessings in a Backpack.

Hunger impacts the mental, physical, and emotional health of children. This program ensures that children experiencing food insecurity over weekends are able to access nutritious items and care, without sacrificing their dignity or pride to do so.