BackPack Meals and Food Pantries
"Keeping Kids Fed, Fit & Ready to Learn so they Grow to be Self-sufficient Adults Ready to Earn"
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BackPack Meals
Did you know that 16% of children in Montana face hunger every day? Many principals, teachers, and school personnel have students come to them throughout the school year apprehensive about weekends and holidays because of a lack of food at home. BackPack Meals provides convenient and portable meals to elementary children over the weekends and school breaks. Qualifying children who may experience food insecurity over the weekends and holidays receive meals to take home on Friday or before a school break that sustains them until returning to school where they participate in the Free and Reduced breakfast and lunch program. Meals are even included for younger siblings not yet in school. BackPack Meals helps students stay in school and focused on learning so they may succeed in life! |
500 elementary students in Billings participate in the BackPack program.
On Friday afternoon, school staff discreetly place a BackPack Meal in a student's backpack. Kids go home knowing they have four meals and two snacks to look forward to for the weekend ahead. |
Over 98% of your gift to BackPack Meals goes directly towards feeding children! Thanks to a volunteer workforce and donation of warehouse space and services by Billings Public Schools, 98% of every dollar donated goes directly towards food.
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Financial donations go a long ways!
A weekend supply of meals costs $7.25 per student. Purchasing power is optimized by working with the Montana Food Bank Network to make state-wide coordinated bulk purchases. |
Food Pantries
Teen Pantries, begun in 2011, are located in all three Billings Public High Schools, the Career Center, and the middle schools. The first Elementary Pantries opened in the spring of 2022 to begin service to K-5 children receiving BackPack Meals but in need of evening meal support. These Elementary Pantries offer basic meal items as well as some hygiene items. The Teen Pantries provide groceries, toiletries, and some clothing supplies for middle and high school aged students, many of whom are homeless. Pantries are discreetly located and allow students access to basic necessities. Students who may benefit from the pantries are identified by school personnel and directed towards the pantry resource.
At least 500 students regularly use the teen pantries this school year. Donate today to ease the worry of empty stomachs and help students focus on their education.
Teen Pantries, begun in 2011, are located in all three Billings Public High Schools, the Career Center, and the middle schools. The first Elementary Pantries opened in the spring of 2022 to begin service to K-5 children receiving BackPack Meals but in need of evening meal support. These Elementary Pantries offer basic meal items as well as some hygiene items. The Teen Pantries provide groceries, toiletries, and some clothing supplies for middle and high school aged students, many of whom are homeless. Pantries are discreetly located and allow students access to basic necessities. Students who may benefit from the pantries are identified by school personnel and directed towards the pantry resource.
At least 500 students regularly use the teen pantries this school year. Donate today to ease the worry of empty stomachs and help students focus on their education.
SUGGESTED SCHOOL FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
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Single serving sized containers of:
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Canned Foods:
Dry Foods:
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