Many children in Iowa rely on resources such as the federal free or reduced-priced school meal program, during the school year. Backpack Buddies provides sacks of healthy, kid-friendly food to low-income children on weekends and school breaks, when they do not have access to the federal free and reduced price meal programs.

1 in 6 children in Iowa under age 18 are food insecure. Food insecure families do not have enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times.

The contents of the sacks vary each week, but contain a variety of items such as pop-top meals or soup, 100% juice, single-serve cereal, fruit cups, peanut butter and shelf-stable 2% milk. 

Bonus items, such as personal hygiene products, are included when available. Nutrition education materials, worksheets and games are included as well.

Children are selected by their eligibility for the federal free and reduced-price meal program and by the guidelines for identifying the chronically hungry child. This program is both free and confidential for the child and their family. 

The Food Bank of Iowa serves more than 450 children each week through Backpack Buddies. Backpack Buddies programs are operated at seven locations in the Des Moines metro area:

• Capitol View Elementary School
• Moulton Elementary School
• Willard Elementary School
• First Christian Church Boys & Girls Club
• Levitt Boys & Girls Club
• Logan Boys & Girls Club
• McCombs Boys & Girls Club

Expansion plans include two additional Des Moines school locations during the 2009-2010 school year.