BackPack™ Program

View testimonials from kids participating in the BackPack Program.

In the communities served by Northern Illinois Food Bank, more than 180,000 children depend on free or subsidized school meals each day. Nearly 100,000 of those children live in families earning less than $21,200 per year.

Starting January 7, 2008, NIFB began a BackPack Program—a national program of the Feeding America network. The BackPack Program meets the needs of chronically hungry children when other emergency food resources are limited during weekends and school vacations. Backpacks are filled with nutritious, child-friendly and shelf-stable food that is distributed to students on Fridays. 

In over one year, the BackPack Program has expanded from nine schools serving 147 children in three counties, to 30 schools serving 1,016 children in seven counties!

NIFB partners with schools that have an interest in meeting the nutritional needs of children who do not have access to adequate food on weekends.

Principals or district administrators receive an invitation to participate in the BackPack Program, and sign an agreement with NIFB to ensure food safety and program efficiency. A BackPack Program coordinator or “point person” at the school is established. This person may be the principal, social worker or school teacher. They are provided with a sample list of behaviors in children that indicate chronic hunger to help identify students to participate in the program. These indicators include:

-        Rushing food lines

-        Extreme hunger on Monday mornings

-        Saving/hoarding/stealing food to take home

-        Quickly eating food and asking for more

-        Comments about not having enough food at home

School coordinators then send an introductory letter and consent form home to parents. NIFB is notified with the number of students who have agreed to receive backpacks.

Roughly 30 volunteers in two shifts per week assemble 10lbs of food into a bag, which is then delivered directly to the schools. NIFB provides the physical backpack the first time food is delivered.

Students receive food bags on Fridays before the weekend and are responsible for bringing the empty backpack back to the school for the next weekend’s distribution.

What kind of food will kids receive?
The food in the backpacks will be nutritious, child-friendly and nonperishable. Some examples are pop-top soup, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits, bread, tuna, apples and granola bars. NIFB will provide roughly 8-10lbs of food per backpack. Personal care and non-food items like soap, gloves and hand-lotion may also be included as it is available.

Do programs have to pay for food or backpacks?
The BackPack Program is free to sites. Thanks to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois the BackPack Program was able to start up in Freeport. Other grants and donations also support the program. 

How will the backpacks get to sites?
NIFB staff and volunteers will pack backpacks a week prior to delivery. NIFB will deliver directly to sites every week for distribution on Fridays or before holidays.

How can I help?

NIFB relies on the generosity and talent of its of volunteers and donors.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Youth Nutrition Program, please call (630) 443-6910 or email volunteer@northernilfoodbank.org.

NIFB is also happy to mail a brochure about volunteer opportunities. Please call (630) 443-6910 or email volunteer@northernilfoodbank.org.

If you would like to donate to the BackPack Program please click her

Further Information

For more information on NIFB’s BackPack Program call (630) 443-6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org.