About The Backpack Program

The Backpack Program, established in 2010, provides supplemental weekend food for students in the Baker 5J School District who are in need and are at risk. The program provides a bag of non-perishable food to children that they can take home and eat when school meal programs are unavailable. These bags are distributed at school to participating children in plastic shopping bags by their teachers or volunteers as they leave on Thursday afternoons. (Our district does not have school on Fridays.)  The contents of the bags can vary depending on the food and donations available. The program strives to provide enough food to replace the meals that children would receive at school (e.g. three breakfast options, three lunch options, two snack options and a fruit option).  Currently, volunteers are filling approximately 220 backpacks per week. The pantry and distribution center is located in the basement of First Presbyterian Church. 

The Backpack Program is run by volunteers and has been sponsored by local donations from civic groups, churches, businesses, organizations, individuals, and grants. It is truly a collaborative community effort. We continue to develop and expand appropriate funding programs and partnerships.