BackPack Programs

When children leave school for the weekend or holidays, the last thing they should worry about is having enough to eat. The Family BackPack Program ensures that children and families at risk of hunger have nutritious food at home when school-based resources are not available.

We welcome community sponsors to help us fund and operate these programs!

Community-Sponsored BackPack Partners

As a Community-Sponsored BackPack partner, an organization takes advantage of the Food Bank’s volume discount to obtain nutritious and lower-cost food and agrees to meet menu requirements to ensure children receive healthy nutrition. Because these programs are funded and run locally, our partners often tailor their program to best meet their community’s specific needs. Many of our partner agencies also run backpack programs. 

Partners and locations:

Northern Region
Bright Futures – Winchester City and Frederick County Public Schools (26 schools)
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church – Clarke County (5 schools)
Fueled – Loudoun County Public Schools (35 schools)

Southern Region
Food for Thought (Parkview) – Lynchburg Public Schools (31 schools)
Feed the Need – Bedford County (1 school)
Amherst Cares – Amherst County Public Schools (10 schools)
LBC’s Children’s Nutrition Ministry – Appomattox County Public Schools (4 schools)

Western Region
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church – Augusta County (1 school)
Greenville United Methodist Church – Augusta County (1 school)
Millboro Elementary – Bath County (1 school)

Eastern Region
Grace Episcopal Church – Albemarle (1 school)

Family BackPacks provided by the Food Bank

The typical menu for a nutritional backpack includes items such as oatmeal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauce, beans, rice, protein, and more. Each provides the foundation for 13 family-sized meals.

Locations:

Northern Region
Sugarland Elementary School – Loudoun County
Guilford Elementary School – Loudoun County

Southern Region
Dearington Elementary School – Lynchburg
William M. Bass Elementary School – Lynchburg

Western Region
Craigsville Elementary School – Augusta County
Gus Bus – Harrisonburg City
Wenonah Elementary School – Waynesboro
William Perry Elementary School – Waynesboro
Berkley Glenn Elementary School – Waynesboro

Eastern Region
Currently no sites

We thank these Program Donors (2023)

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
• C.R. England
• Giant Family Foundation
• Emerson Charitable Trust