More than 86,000 children in Harvesters’ service area are enrolled in free and reduced-price school meals during the week, but what do they eat on the weekend?

Harvesters offers the BackSnack program, which provides backpacks of food to low-income children for the weekend, to combat weekend hunger. The program creates a partnership between Harvesters, a participating school and a local corporate, civic or religious organization.

Harvesters provides the food, and the partnering organization provides the volunteers every week to pick up the backpacks, clean them out and pack them with food. School staff distributes them on Friday to the kids, who bring them back on Monday to start the whole process again. 

BackSnack program continues growing
BackSnack began in 2004 with a pilot project serving 30 children at one school. During the 2007-2008 school year, Harvesters served 650 students in 22 schools. With help from the Hall Family Foundation and other committed supporters, Harvesters expanded the program during the 2008-2009 school year to give weekly backpacks to more than 8,000 children. The program was further expanded during the 2009-2010 school to provide backpacks to more than 10,000 student each week. 

BackSnack program improves student grades, attendance
An evaluation of the BackSnack program by the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership found that the program is helping elementary students improve their academic performance, school attendance and behavior. The center evaluated the impact of the program by surveying students, teachers, school staff and parents. Key findings included:

  • BackSnack students' grades improved significantly, especially in math, English and science.
  • Teachers and schools reported students were getting more homework done.
  • Parents reported that children better understood what they were being taught in school.
  • BackSnack participants' attendance improved, with 23 percent fewer absences.
  • 62 percent of parents reported their children were healthier after participating in BackSnack.
  • Schools reported that discipline incidents were cut in half.
  • Students reported feeling in trouble less.
  • 39 percent of parents reported their children behaved better at home.
  • 49 percent of parents agreed their children's sense of responsibility increased.

    Read more about the BackSnack program and Boone Elementary School's BackSnack student Isaiah Patterson.

    How can I help?
    Become a financial donor: To get a backpack in the hands of 10,000 children every week during the 2009-2010 school year, Harvesters needs the community’s help. $200 will provide a backpack to one child for an entire year. Donate to Harvesters’ Childhood Hunger Initiative online or by phone at 816.929.3010.

    Become a community partner: Community partners are needed to adopt schools for which they will clean, pack and deliver backpacks every week during the school year. Contact Paula Pratt, community outreach director, at InfoRequest@harvesters.org or 816.929.3091 to explore partnership opportunities.

    Find out if your school is eligible for BackSnack: If your elementary school is interested in offering the BackSnack program, please have the principal contact Contact Paula Pratt, community outreach director, at InfoRequest@harvesters.org or 816.929.3091 .

    For additional information, contact Paula Pratt, community outreach director, at InfoRequest@harvesters.org.