Food For Kids School Backpack Program

McKinley County, New Mexico has been designated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as having some of the higher food insecurity and hunger rates in the United States.  In response to this, members of the Gallup, New Mexico community came together in 1999 to form a not-for-profit food bank called the Community Pantry.  Its mission is “dedicated to acquiring, storing, and distributing wholesome food to children, the elderly and families in need.”  Since its inception, the Community Pantry has distributed an average of 1.5 million pounds of produce and .5 million pounds of dry goods and other foods per year. 

 In 2004 ANA became aware of one of the six programs that the Community Pantry operates.   The Food For Kids program reduces food insecurity for school children.  The children in this program often have nothing to eat from their school lunch on Friday until they return to school for breakfast on Monday morning.  At the beginning of the year, each participating school receives 25-30 new backpacks.  The schools then identify 25-30 children who are at risk for going hungry over the weekend and fill the backpacks with 11-13 ready to eat items for these children to take with them on Friday.   We currently have sponsors for six schools — there are more than 25 schools waiting for this program.

If you would like to donate to this program, please see our donation form for more information.

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Date this page was last edited: 08/20/2009