Backpack Program Fights Weekend Hunger

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Summary: Backpack Program
•
The Backpack Program provides food for needy children on weekends, when schools are closed.
•
Sending the food home in backpacks eliminates the stigma attached to poverty.
•
The Backpack Program is expanding, and needs your help
to do so.


Of the estimated 25 million people helped last year by America's Second Harvest, nine million were children.

USDA surveys show that 11.9% of American households experienced food uncertainty at some point during the past year.
 
January 2007 N.3   
Backpack Program Fights Weekend Hunger
Look at any school-age child today; you'll see one thing that most of them have in common: the ever present backpack. For most children, backpacks contain books and other school supplies. But for some children, a backpack means much more - a weekend without hunger.

Thanks to multiple federal, school, and volunteer programs, schools are able to offer free and/or reduced price lunches for children in need. In fact, many schools across the country now offer morning meals, after-school snacks, and other day programs centered on feeding hungry kids. But a gap in the system has become apparent; these same children have no access to food on the weekends, when schools are closed.
Avoiding the "Poor Kid" Stigma
In 1995, an observant school nurse from Arkansas noticed children coming back to school, after the weekend break, with dizziness and stomachaches. They weren't ill - they were hungry. She contacted the Arkansas Rice Depot, a Little Rock food bank, for help. The food bank sent food for the children to take home for the weekends, but the kids reported that they were being teased by other children for being poor. The unique idea of sending food home with the children in backpacks was presented. Sending the food in backpacks, a common sight at any school, removed the stigma of poverty for the children. Thus, the Backpack Program was underway.
Identifying and Filling the Need
The first step is to identify kids in need; this is accomplished by utilizing teachers and other staff members in the school system. Then, volunteers from local food banks and other groups fill donated backpacks with nutritious foods. The backpacks are then delivered to the schools for children to take before leaving for the weekend. Each backpack usually contains the equivalent of 2 - 3 meals for the weekend.

Additionally, each program is tailored to meet the specific needs in their community. For example, some programs take siblings of these children into account, and extra food is provided for them. Other programs are able to operate throughout the summer, when schools are closed, providing much-needed food for children who depend on school programs for regular meals.

Her smile says it all
On Friday, January 12, 2007, with generous funding provided by the Peacock Foundation Inc., Daily Bread Food Bank began the first Backpack Program in Miami-Dade County. Developed to alleviate childhood hunger, Daily Bread Food Bank's Back Program serves approximately 90 at-risk children. This new program has increased food security for these children by providing additional food for the weekend. Packed each week, a back pack is filled with nutritious food items and given to the children at no charge!
We Need You to Make It Possible
Funding for the Backpack Program comes in many forms - from local churches, businesses, and civic organizations to large donations and grants from corporations such as Hasbro and WalMart. This funding is allowing America's Second Harvest, the nations largest hunger relief organization, food banks to expand the Backpack Program throughout its nationwide network of food banks, including the Daily Bread Food Bank in Florida.

However, more help is needed. You can help by doing any or all of the following:
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Contact us about Daily Bread's Backpack Program, or to learn about other programs that feed hungry children.
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Hold your own food drive. Get together with your local food bank, Daily Bread, or any of America's Second Harvest affiliates to organize a food drive and begin collecting food for the hungry.
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Volunteer your time. All of the programs, including the Backpack Program, depend on volunteers to make them work.
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Contribute. Make a financial donation to Daily Bread or your local community food pantry. Regardless of how large or small, your financial support can make the difference between a child that is fed - and one that goes hungry.

Kind regards,


Judith Gatti
Executive Director
Daily Bread Food Bank


"You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself." Harvey S. Firestone

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no hungry children, no hungry people? Of course it would. Did you know that Daily Bread can provide enough food for six meals with just one dollar? Now imagine how much good you can do with your contribution. We at Daily Bread need your continued commitment and support in order to keep hunger at bay in our own community.
Daily Bread Food Bank has launched the first Backpack Program in South Florida!

On Friday, January 12, 2007, with generous funding provided by the Peacock Foundation Inc., Daily Bread Food Bank began its own Backpack Program in Miami-Dade County.

For more information please call Randy Miller at 305-474-8805.




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Taste of the NFL is an event that has a purpose--to raise awareness and dollars in the fight against hunger for thousands of families. Recognized chefs, NFL legends, and community citizens volunteer their time to benefit hunger relief.

Help support Daily Bread Food Bank while entertaining your friends and clients.

When: Saturday, February 3, 2007
Where: Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center

For information about tickets, please click here and visit the Events section, or call (952) 835-7621



Laurie Miale

"The Letter Carriers Food Drive gives us an opportunity to make a huge difference in fighting hunger in the community.  This is a one day community event where everyone can participate without even leaving home.  I believe South Floridians are very caring people and if they are aware of the food drive, they will donate."

No food drive can be successful without the help of the community.  This year's NALC Food Drive is Saturday, May 12, 2007 and the Letter Carriers are looking for everyone's help to make the event the biggest and best ever!

"Letter Carriers are already gearing up for this year's food drive.  For many, it is one of the most rewarding efforts they are involved in all year." Laurie Miale, Treasurer - NALC Union 1071


We would like to thank the following POP Superheroes that generously donated on line after our second issue in December.

Erinn Collinsworth Kevin Callahan Mary Leslie Smith
Brian Dougherty David Kunstler Vanessa Stelly
Sara Oren Darren Cleveland Integrated Lawn and Landscape
Robert Richards Debbie Richardson Gail Richmond
Jean Emerson Michael Sanchez Salvatore Massa
Ibis Noda Chris Skinner Joann B. Evans
Martha Moses Gail White Julia Harrington
Bonnie Monti    

Thanks to them, we could provide enough food for an additional 23,522 meals to those less fortunate in South Florida. Become a POP Superhero!  


At the end of 2005, Detroit, Michigan, had the highest poverty rate in the nation followed by El Paso, Texas. Where did Miami's poverty rate rank that same year?
A. 3rd      B. 7th       C. 12th      D. 18th     Answer
 

Daily Bread Food Bank
Randy Miller
Special Events/Communications Coordinator
5850 NW 32 Avenue
Miami, FL 33142
Tel. (305) 474-8805
Fax (305) 633-0036
rmiller@dailybread.org
Daily Bread Food Bank, a not-for-profit organization, empowers other South Florida not-for-profit organizations to feed needy people and improve their lives. We do this by providing food and other grocery products; and by educating and engaging our community to fight hunger and poverty.
www.dailybread.org

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