“I like backpack because I can have food on Saturday and Sunday.”
– 3rd Grader, Bobier Elementary
The San Diego Food Bank’s Food 4
Kids Backpack Program was launched in 2007 to provide food to get chronically
hungry elementary school students through the weekend. Every Friday, participating children receive
a backpack with child friendly items such as peanut butter, pop-top
canned goods, cereal, juice boxes, fruit cups, raisins, pudding cups, granola
bars, shelf-stable milk and macaroni and cheese tucked inside.
The children receive free or reduced
cost meals while school is in session, but do not have food available on the
weekends or school holidays for themselves and their siblings. Food 4 Kids provides
food directly to the children, without requiring their parents to receive a
referral to a local food pantry, pick up food at the pantry or prepare it at
home.
In order to qualify for the
program, students must attend a school where at least 80% of the population
receives free or reduced cost lunch, and receive a referral from their teachers.
During the 2008-2009 school year, the
program served just 200 chronically hungry elementary school children in eight
schools located throughout San Diego County.
The need is much greater. As an
example, the pilot program at one school in 2006 served 250 children alone.
The economy has been hard on all
of us this year, but it has been hardest on those who were already
struggling. Charitable donations are
down, and hunger in San Diego County is up.
Those of us who love food and view it as a pleasure are so fortunate to
be in that position. The least we can do is try to ensure the children of our
community don’t – quite literally - go hungry.
With this goal in mind, San
Diego’s food bloggers and other members of the local community are coming
together to raise funds for the San Diego Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.
A little goes a long way - the program costs
approximately $7.00 per week per child to fund, and a donation of $250.00 will
fund a backpack for a child for the entire 36 week school year. Giving whatever you can afford will help to
ensure this program continues to provide a much needed service.
As an added incentive, several
food bloggers will be hosting prizes to be awarded in a drawing at our live food
and backpack drive at our booth at the Little Italy Mercato on December 12,
2009. We will also be collecting
non-perishable, child-friendly food items and backpacks. Come and meet your favorite food bloggers,
drop off your donations and celebrate the Holidays at the Mercato!
Suggested
donation items:
A medium-sized neutral design
backpack, preferably red in color.
Toothbrush and kids toothpaste
Coloring books
School supplies (pencils, paper, pencil sharpeners, markers, crayons)
Nutritious kid-friendly foods, such as fruit roll ups, granola bars, boxed
packaged food items like cereal, crackers, nutrition bars, pop top canned goods
such as applesauce or other fruit, ready made macaroni and cheese and other
easy convenient items.
Thank you
so much for your contribution, and Happy, Happy Holidays!
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