Operation BackPack, our local Feeding America backpack program, began in 2008 at Polk Elementary School in Cedar Rapids with 50 students. During the 2009-2010 school year Operation BackPack will expand to the following schools:
- Polk Elementary
- Taylor Elementary
- Inn Circle
- Mark Twain Elementary
- Grant Wood Elementary
- Elementary Schools in Oxford Junction and Lost Nation
Studies show that children perform better in school when they eat three balanced meals a day.
Operation BackPack provides children with nutritous, kid-friendly foods, such as cereal, canned pasta, pop top soup, fruit cups and boxed drinks. The food is packed and delivered to the school by volunteers each Friday that school is in session. Each child brings home approximately 6.5 pounds per food a week.
More schools are interested in signing up for this local iniatitive to reduce hunger in Eastern Iowa, but we need additional funds to sustain and expand this effort. To learn how you can support the cause, contact Krista Andersen, BackPack Program Coordinator at kandersen@hacap.org or at 319-393-7811.