The Backpack Program

Happy children sitting on a bench making funny faces, creating playful memories.

Imagine this: every Friday, kids in need slip on backpacks not weighed down by algebra homework, but packed with weekend meals—breakfast, lunch, snacks and even a little treat—so they can come back Monday healthy, happy, and ready to learn. This is the magic of Feeding America’s BackPack Program, a school‐based initiative that quietly bridges the gap when cafeteria lines close. The network hosts over 10,000 BackPack Programs across the United States, partnering with local food banks and schools to identify students who could use an extra meal or two (Feeding America). Studies show that these child‐friendly, nonperishable packs fuel more than just tummies—they power young minds with enough breakfast, lunch, and snack items to last the weekend (Carsey School of Public Policy).

Why It Matters

  • Boosts academic performance. Participants in the program have seen measurable improvements in end‐of‐grade reading—and even a bump, albeit smaller, in math scores—when hunger isn’t holding them back (Carsey School of Public Policy).
  • Supports well‐being. Regular access to nutritious food reduces absenteeism, sharpens focus, and tears down the stigma of childhood hunger, so each student can show up Monday morning ready to shine (Feeding America).
  • Strengthens communities. By discreetly distributing backpacks through trusted school staff, families get the weekend support they need without feeling singled out.

A Nationwide Lifeline

  • In 2022 alone, Feeding America’s BackPack Programs dished out over 54 million meals to children in need (Feeding America).
  • Today, the network serves more than 450,000 children every weekend, translating to nearly half a million young learners carrying hope—and food—home each Friday (Carsey School of Public Policy).

Spotlight on State Successes

  • East Texas: The East Texas Food Bank’s BackPack Program distributed 212,000 backpacks to 13,000 children in FY 2024, showing how regional efforts make a big dent in local hunger (East Texas Food Bank).
  • Arizona: St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance partners with over 100 schools to send out roughly 3,000 backpacks every week, ensuring entire families have weekend meals, not just kids (Wikipedia).

How You Can Help
Feeding America makes it easy to get involved—no secret handshakes required:

  1. Volunteer. Join local food bank teams to pack backpacks and set up distributions (Feeding America).
  2. Donate. Every dollar fuels two meals; you can support either the national network or your local food bank (Feeding America).
  3. Host a site. Schools, churches, or community centers can become distribution points. Reach out to your local coordinator—many, like Brazos Valley Food Bank, have clear partner guidelines to get you started (Brazos Valley Food Bank).

Childhood Hunger by the Numbers

  • Nearly 14 million children faced hunger in 2023—one in every five kids isn’t sure where their next meal is coming from (Feeding America).
  • Overall, 47 million Americans—one in seven people—lived in food‐insecure households last year, underscoring why weekend nutrition is critical (Feeding America Action).

Federal Policy Shifts
While Feeding America’s BackPack Program is privately funded and community‐driven, federal decisions can shape the broader nutrition landscape:

  • In 2025, the Trump administration canceled the $660 million Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, which had helped schools buy fresh, local produce (Education Week).
  • USDA leadership under Trump also rolled back some Obama‐era nutrition standards—altering guidelines on grains, milk, and sodium—that, while not directly changing backpack contents, affected overall child nutrition policy (K-12 Dive).

Coast-to-Coast Coverage
Good news—this backpack of possibilities stretches from Maine to Maui. Feeding America’s network spans all 50 states, so wherever you are, a partner food bank is ready to help kids fill their backpacks and their bellies (Feeding America). To find your nearest program, just plug your ZIP code into the Hunger in America map at FeedingAmerica.org and get connected (Map the Meal Gap).

Pack It Forward
Weekend hunger is a solvable problem—and you hold the power to make every Friday a little brighter. Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, you’re joining a movement that proves every child deserves more than just homework in their backpack. Ready to snack-pack it forward? Let’s do this.