Finding a School

• If your local food pantry doesn't have a list of schools who need backpacks, call a local school and ask for the principal. If they are not available, leave a message for them and ask for their email address. Send a backup email. Many schools/school districts have homeless coordinators. These people would be great contacts, also. 

 

Finding the Neediest Students

• Explain to your contact that your company is wanting to give the neediest students backpacks of food each weekend. Students that are homeless are typically students who need help the most. Even students who are not homeless can suffer from hunger. Only take on the number of students you can consistently support.

• Start with one or two students until you know your pantry can support more each week. It's definitely okay to build your program slowly. Your adopted students will realize they can count on your company every week.

 

Creating Your Pantry    

• Use a spare closet, file cabinet, unoccupied office, wherever you can find a dry space that will be out of the way. 

• Start collecting food 3-4 weeks before you begin delivering backpacks. 

 

Food

• Nutritious as possible   There are limitations for nutritious food that is easy to prepare without needing refrigeration. Please refrain from foods with  added sugar such as candy, candy bars, pudding cups, etc. in the backpacks. Sugar is a major cause of obesity and subsequent poor health in children. Snack chips are also something we want to avoid.

• Should not need refrigeration   Many of our I Got Your Back Pack students and families do not have access to refrigeration. Unfortunately fresh fruit and breads are not good choices for our backpacks. Please watch expiration dates.

• Easy to open   Many families and students don't have access to can openers.

• Simple to prepare   Many families don't have access to ovens or stoves. Single-serving microwavable food is fine. (Some students have been known to go into a convenience store to use their microwaves.)

 

Packing Backpacks

• We started out using 14" x 18" nylon, drawstring backpacks but have switched to plastic grocery bags. The plastic grocery bags are easy to pack and can be stuffed into a students existing backpack (if they have one). We also don't have to worry about returned bags. Pack more fragile items (fruit cups, crackers, mac and cheese, snacks) on top.

 

Confidentiality

• Confidentiality is very important for our I Got Your Back Pack students. They are often embarrased by their situation and don't want others to know. If you need to identify the backpacks talk with your school coordinator and devise a system. For example, if you are supporting a family, the identifier could be B-3 (the second family, the third student in that family).