BackPack Program

The Backpack Program provides children at-risk of hunger with food to take home over the weekends and out-of-school times. Backpacks or other containers are stocked with nutritious, child-friendly, easy-to-prepare food.  They are typically distributed on Fridays or the last day before a holiday/vacation. 

Program Requirements:

1. Distribute healthy, nutritious food to children free of charge.

2. Provide backpacks a minimum of once a month during the school year.

3. Have staff and volunteers with repetitive contact with children pass a National Background Search.

4. Ensure that the site complies with all applicable Federal and local statutes, ordinances and regulations.

5. Inform Harvest Hope in writing of any changes in the BackPack Program personnel, days & hours of operation, and/or number of children served.

6. Provide necessary information about the school/site.

7. Identify children that meet the eligibility guidelines for your school/site.

8. Use school records to identify food allergies the child may have (peanuts, milk, etc.) and flag their name so that those items will not be distributed to them.

9. Be available for at least one annual site visit.

10. Receive deliveries on the designated day.

11. Store the food that is delivered to the school/site off of the floor and in a secure place.

12. Distribute the backpacks/carriers to the program participants in accordance with the predetermined schedule.

13. Keep accurate records and submit reports to the Member to assist in program evaluation.

14. Communicate problems and requests to the Member in a timely manner.

15. Already operate a Harvest Hope Food Bank Kids Cafe Program

If your Kids Cafe can meet these requirements, you will need to do the following to begin a BackPack Program for the children you serve:

1)       Download (.pdf), complete, and mail the form to Harvest Hope.

2)   Receive approval from Kids Cafe Coordinator

3)       Obtain backpacks for each child (or other containers).

4)       Shop at HHFB for appropriate foods.

5)       Pack and Distribute backpacks each week on your last day of operation before the weekend or holiday break.

6)       Keep records of children’s names and dates on which they receive backpacks.

We also encourage you to find local financial support for your BackPack program from organizations or corporations. They may provide the backpacks and money that you can use to supplement food that is available at Harvest Hope Food Bank. Such organizations may also donate other items that are helpful to families, such as school, hygiene, or home cleaning supplies.