FRIDAY IS BACKPACK JERSEY DAY

BackPack Jersey Day is a fundraiser developed to raise awareness and funds needed to continue the BackPack Program in schools throughout the state. Just a $5 donation is enough send food home one weekend for one student. While a $160 donation can provide for that student for every weekend and holiday for the entire school year. The fundraiser is happening statewide this year on Friday, April 19, 2019 at the end of Montana’s Fight Childhood Hunger Week.

To get involved in the fundraiser participants are asked to make a donation to the BackPack Program in their community. Then on Friday, April 19 wear their favorite team jersey or sports clothing to show their support for the community. Anyone can get involved! All communities are encouraged to get involved with spreading the word of the program along with sporting their favorite team jersey and posting a picture of it on social media with #406backpack or #jerseyday

MORE ABOUT THE BACKPACK PROGRAM

Nearly 1 in 6 children in Montana live in a food insecure household. That means 42,480 children in Montana may not know where their next meal is going to come from.

The BackPack Program, started by the Montana Food Bank Network in 2006,  discreetly places food in the back packs of previously identified students every week. The food sent home is easy-to-prepare, shelf-stable foods to last the weekend and holidays when school meals are not available. Schools and teachers involved in the program report significant changes in many students performance, attention, and behavior.

Montana Food Bank Network works to increase the amount of schools participating in the program every year. After starting with 1 school in 2006, the program has spread statewide and to date works directly with 124 schools across Montana, impacting over 4000 students in Montana. Several other similar programs have been taken over by local partners in larger communities to make the program more efficient and sustainable.

For additional information on BackPack Jersey Day or the BackPack Program contact Stephanie Stratton, Chief Program’s Officer