Backpack program feeds kids outside of school

When the weekend arrives it means no school for kids, which could also mean no access to a well-balanced meal. It’s why the Idaho Food Bank has the backpack program to help close that gap.

The program supplies low-income kids a bag filled with enough food for two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. There’s also a few snacks and drinks.

According to program specialist Amber Logue, 17,500 bags are supplied to schools every school year in the eastern Idaho region.

“The need is really great, we’re distributing well over 2,000 backpacks a month,” Logue said.

About a dozen volunteers from Syringa Elementary School were packing bags Wednesday. Principal Rebecca Bullock, has been working with the school district for two decades, spending 18 years as a teacher.

She’s seen first-hand the difference this can make for kids’ lives.

“When children are not hungry they’re able to learn and they’re able to focus on the curriculum,” Bullock said. “It makes our teaching better.”

At Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, each school takes a turn helping pack bags at the local Idaho Food Bank branch. Bullock said it’s really easy get her faculty and staff to volunteer their time to do it.

“They see the huge benefits at our school,” she said. “It fills my heart with a lot of joy.”

District 25 also has a number of food pantries in place to help their students.

You can find out how you can help the backpack program here.