Supporting Children
Backpack Program
The Backpack Program focuses on helping school-age children maintain access to nutritious, easy-to-prepare food beyond the school day.
Program Focus
SapiBon Foundation works with community members and organizations to identify practical support and appropriate next steps.
- Child-centered food support
- School and community collaboration
- Family resource connections
More About Backpack Program
Many children in our community get their breakfast and lunch at school at a reduced price or for free. But when school is closed on weekends and holidays, many of these children go hungry.
The BackPack Program from SapiBon Foundation, Inc. provides children in need with bags of nutritious food they can take home and easily prepare on their own.
Why the BackPack Program?
Good nutrition is critical to good health and success at school. Children who don’t get enough to eat often have:
Trouble concentrating
Lower math and English scores
Difficulty interacting with peers
Trouble finishing tests on time
Lower graduation rates
Children participating in the BackPack Program during the 2016-2017 school year showed improvement in their energy levels and ability to concentrate, as well as a reduction in food insecure behavior such as asking for seconds or stealing food.
What is in the BackPacks?
Items in the packs are:
Individually packaged, or small and light enough to carry
Easy to prepare, even without a stove or other equipment
Each BackPack bag weighs about 5-6 pounds and comes in a plastic grocery bag. The menu for each week’s bag includes 1-2 items from each of the food groups:
One “meal” item such as macaroni and cheese or soup
Looking for Support?
Program availability, eligibility, schedules, and services may vary. Contact our team to learn what resources or referrals may currently be available.