Food is distributed through a network of volunteers and school officials on Fridays before the children leave for the weekend. The program serves children grades K5 within Title 1 Elementary Public Schools. All students served are recipients of the national Free and Reduced Meal/Lunch program. Most of our recipients are in a household with a single parent or with parents who are classified as working poor, those individuals who are employed but don’t earn enough to make ends meet.
Our weekend backpacks include ready to eat food items: Fruit Roll Ups, Pop Tarts, Lemonade and other drink mix packs, Instant Noodles, Peanut Butter, Macaroni and Cheese, Rice, Beans, Granola, Pasta, Instant Potatoes, Dry Cereal, etc. All food choices are kid friendly. This means the food distributed is healthy, light in weight and easy for children of all ages to carry, easy to make, and nonperishable. We rely on private donors such as you to purchase this food, as well as supermarkets which give us a substantial discount.
A donation of just $80.00 feeds a child for an entire school year. Contributions are tax deductible and qualify for a tax credit for food pantries and other food programs.
WE SUPPORT THESE SCHOOLS
We have more than 21 Title 1 schools in Lake County. A Title 1 school means that more than 40% percent of the children who attend that school are on free or reduced cost lunch. Sometimes the only food that these kids eat is what they eat when they are at school.
