BackPack Program provides food-insecure kids weekend meals in Northland

DULUTH — As the new school year approaches, the BackPack Program provided by Second Harvest Northland begins its 15th year.

The program was started in 2010 by Superior National Bank as the Superior (Wisconsin) School District’s “Nutrition on Weekend” Program. It now provides weekend food to children at schools within 22 different northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin communities, reaching more than 1,660 students each week, according to a news release.

In the 15-county service region served by Second Harvest Northland, the organization says 1 in 6 children are food insecure — meaning they don’t have access to enough food to lead a healthy and active life.

During the week, free and reduced-price lunches at school help children meet their nutritional needs and alleviate parental stress. But for many families, weekends present a gap in reliable access to food.

The BackPack Program fills this gap by ensuring students head home at the end of the week with a discreet bag of nutritious, easy-to-open, easy-to-prepare food, such as fruits, vegetables, ready-to-eat meals and cereal.

“We all know the benefits of a full tummy for children,” stated Shaye Moris, president/CEO of Second Harvest Northland, in the release. “They are able to grow up healthy, concentrate, and learn in school — and that leads to greater, long-term success. We’re so grateful to our supporters that make this program possible.”

The organization reports that in the last year, the BackPack Program has supported students in 49 school sites and 25 districts, ensuring more than 106,000 meals. Since its start back in 2010, the program has ensured more than 1.5 million meals to Northland children facing hunger.

For more information about Second Harvest Northland or to donate or volunteer to its BackPack Program, visit secondharvestnorthland.org/what-we-do/our-programs/backpack-program, call 218-727-5653 or email info@secondharvestnorthland.org.