Over 60% of Children in Louisiana participate in free and reduced lunch programs during the school week,
But what do they do on the weekends?
The Backpack Program provides children at-risk of hunger with food for nutritional support for the weekends and out-of-school times. This helps families bridge the gaps over weekends and holidays until access to the Federal breakfast and lunch programs resume.
Donated or purchased backpacks or other carriers are stocked with nutritious, child-friendly, easy-to-prepare food. The “lagniappe packs” are typically distributed on Fridays or the last day before a holiday/vacation. Some locations across the country have had to deal with discreetly distributing the backpacks as not to draw attention to the child; however, in areas served to date all of the children fit the criteria and are part of the program. The need is great! Distribution sites are schools and places where children normally congregate before going home, e.g. churches, community centers, Kids Cafe sites, etc. There is no cost to either the child or the school.
|
|
Currently, over 95% of children in hurricane affected areas are on the free and reduced lunch program. Nationally schools average 30-50 children in need. Schools in our service area are averaging 200-250 children per site.
Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana calls the Backpacks “Lagniappe Packs”. In the southern region that means “a little something extra”.
Benefits to Children
• Improved school performance
• Decreased truancy
• Better concentration in the classroom
• Increased self-esteem
• No more hunger
For more information about how
you can be a part of creating a
hunger-free environment for
children in our community please call 504-734-1322,
To become a host site for the
BackPack program, Please click here
|
