BackPack Program

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The BackPack program is intended to meet the nutritional needs of children during non-school hours, specifically weekends. It targets children who would benefit from nutritious meals. The BackPack Program is an additional component of the Food Bank’s mission of ending hunger in our 34-county service area.

Through the program, once each week kids will be given special backpacks that are filled with non-perishable food that can be used to meet their weekend nutritional needs. A typical pack, depending upon the Food Bank’s inventory, will contain: a protein (such as beans, tuna, soup, beef stew, peanut butter and/or soup), vegetables (such as canned spinach, string beans, etc.), canned fruits (such as peaches, pears, pineapples, etc.) and miscellaneous items, such as individual wrapped fruit juice, crackers, Multigrain bars, individual boxes of cereal, pudding cups, etc.

Historical and Current Program Overview
The Food Bank’s first BackPack program was initiated in October 2005 through a joint partnership between the Food Bank and the Parent Teacher Association at Hodge Road Elementary School with funding provided by the Junior League of Raleigh. This partnership provided 30 children with nutrition and academic support. Currently, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina supports 12 BackPack programs with 24 sites in the following ten counties: Brunswick, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Moore, New Hanover, Orange, Pender, Scotland, and Wake Counties. These programs currently support 850 children. Of the 24 partnership sites, 17 serve rural populations with the remaining 7 serving urban populations. Our program partners include Parent-Teacher Associations/Organizations, Communities in Schools, Faith Based Organizations, and Community Based Organizations.

Program Logistics
The backpacks of food are put together by volunteers recruited by both the Food Bank and program partner and delivered to the school partner each week. They will average about 12 items and will weigh 5 to 8 pounds, depending on what is in them. Normally, the packs are distributed on Thursday or Friday, with kids required returning them on by Wednesday of the following week so the process can repeat.

Program Evaluation Results
Although the BackBack Program began in October 2005, the Food Bank didn’t begin tracking distribution and volunteer information until January 2007. As of December 2008:

  • 52,110 backpacks have been distributed
  • 6,726 hours of volunteer support have been donated to our partners.


Also, teachers and schools have both informally and formally reported improvement sin test scores, positive behavioral gains, decrease in number of unexcused absences and an increased recognition of potential career paths.

What do our principals have to say?
  • The students enjoyed receiving the book bag and the food, and I can tell it made a difference. The parents have been very appreciative.
  • I appreciated the BackPack program because it is a major support system for struggling families.
  • I like that the program helps students and families and it gives them one less thing to worry about by providing food during the weekend.
  • The fact that it gives many of our children something to look forward to at the end of each week.
  • We have children who are in danger of having no food for the weekend. This has lifted spirits and allowed them to find a normal way.
  • Seeing the faces of the students when they pick-up their backpacks.


What do our teachers have to say?
  • The program is an outstanding service provided for students. It helps to improve the academic performance of students. Students look forward to the backpacks each week. Thanks.
  • I felt very reassured that, on Fridays when students took home backpacks they would have some nutritious food to eat over the weekend.
  • I liked knowing that my students were not going hungry over the weekend and that their worries about food could be dissipated in a discreet, yet organized manner.
  • It provided food for students who often came to school hungry and had expressed a lack or shortage of food in the home. It also let them and their families know that someone cares.
  • My student was no longer coming to school every day hungry and had a much better attitude.
  • I like the fact that something “extra” is being done to assist those children in need. They really look forward to getting their backpack each week.


What do our parents have to say?
  • Thank you so much. A lot of days I didn’t know how my kids would eat. But you all made it possible. Thank you very much. Bless You All!
  • I think this was an excellent program and it really helps single parents like me; thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
  • The enjoyment of my child being responsible for and obtaining items of food that have been beneficial in providing sustenance for him.
  • The kids have food to eat when there wasn’t enough at home for kids to eat.
  • The program helped me out a lot because everything is high in the grocery store now; I hope the program continues.
  • I am very thankful for what you do and it helps a lot more than you may think; thank you so much.
  • I have really enjoyed this program along with my child. He liked being able to share food with his siblings.
  • I want to thank the program for helping me out with my food needs and giving me an opportunity to have enough food to make it through the year. Thank you so much.


What do our children have to say?
  • Helping my family so they don’t have to spend a whole lot of money.
  • Helping my mom out with food for my little sisters.
  • I get food and when I am hungry, I don’t have to ask for food, I can just get it.
  • I like getting different food to share with my family.
  • I liked getting the food to take home and I liked that someone thought of me.
  • Making sure my family has enough food to eat.



Recognizing the important role that Bayer CropScience plays in America’s food production and their desire to be proactive in supporting the next generation of leaders whose families might need additional support in meeting their nutritional needs, Bayer CropScience awards an annual donation, which allows the Food Bank to purchase the food, as well as the backpacks and administer the program. Bayer CropScience has generous financial support for the program since 2006.

For more information about the BackPack Program, please contact the Food Bank’s Outreach, Evaluations and Programs manager at 919-865-3037 or via email.

Support this program and other programs by making a donation or to learn more about making a gift, please contact the Outreach, Evaluations & Programs Manager via the above contact information.

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