Food4Kids Backpack Program
In March of 2010, Jennifer Moore started a Food4Kids Backpack Program at Terwilliger Elementary in Gainesville, Florida. The non-profit organization provides low-income children with a backpack full of food every weekend and over extended breaks. It is 100% volunteer run, and individuals can donate food, time, or money. Food4Kids partners with food banks, faith networks, and community businesses to create a sustainable annual support campaign.
Mission
Mission
- Identify and maximize resources
- Identify chronically hungry school-age children
- Deliver food directly to children throughout the counties of North Florida
How You Can Help
Food
All non-perishable items are accepted, but the program packs specific items in each backpack every week that are especially appreciated. These items include: canned foods (pasta, soup, veggies, meat), juice boxes and shelf-stable milk, breakfast items (instant oatmeal, breakfast bars, cereal), snacks (raisins, pretzels, crackers, granola), macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, fruit, and pudding cups.
Time
Because Food4Kids is 100% volunteer run, they are always in need of more manpower! Or, team up with your colleagues to organize a food drive. Have a friendly competition or inter-office/department challenges to increase drive success.
Money
All non-perishable items are accepted, but the program packs specific items in each backpack every week that are especially appreciated. These items include: canned foods (pasta, soup, veggies, meat), juice boxes and shelf-stable milk, breakfast items (instant oatmeal, breakfast bars, cereal), snacks (raisins, pretzels, crackers, granola), macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, fruit, and pudding cups.
Time
Because Food4Kids is 100% volunteer run, they are always in need of more manpower! Or, team up with your colleagues to organize a food drive. Have a friendly competition or inter-office/department challenges to increase drive success.
Money
- $6 feeds 1 child for a weekend (7 meals)
- $24 feeds 1 child for a month
- $250 provides a child with a backpack and 7 meals for each weekend and over extended breaks for the school year (38 weeks)