When school is out for the weekend or holiday breaks, access to school breakfast and lunch is no longer available. For some local children, that can create an extra challenge for families.

The Good Samaritan Food Pantry’s BackPack Program helps bridge that gap by providing free, kid-friendly food to students from Pre-K through high school during the school year.

In collaboration with the Food Bank of Iowa, ADM, and the Van Meter School District, the program provides easy-to-prepare, single-serving foods that children can take home and enjoy over the weekend.

How Does the BackPack Program Work?

Every Friday during the school year, participating students receive a sack filled with food for the weekend.

For Pre-K through 6th grade students:
A sack of food is discreetly placed in the student’s backpack during the school day on Friday.

For students in 7th through 12th grade:
Students can stop by the school counselor’s office to pick up their sack.

The program is designed to be simple and discreet, making it easy for students to receive food without drawing attention to their participation.

Is There a Cost to Participate?

No. The BackPack Program is completely free for participating families.

Families are simply asked to provide feedback through an annual survey sent home with their child. This feedback helps the Good Samaritan Food Pantry continue to improve the program and make sure it is meeting the needs of local children and families.

Who Can Participate?

The BackPack Program is available to Pre-K through high school students during the school year through participating local schools.

If your child could benefit from having additional food available over the weekend, we encourage you to learn more and get signed up.

How to Sign Up for the BackPack Program

Signing up is easy.

Contact your student’s teacher or school counselor to request participation in the BackPack Program.

There is no cost to families, and the program provides children with food they can easily prepare and enjoy at home over the weekend.

Helping Local Kids, One Weekend at a Time

The BackPack Program is one of the ways the Good Samaritan Food Pantry works to make sure local children have access to the basic food they need.

We are thankful for our partnerships with the Food Bank of Iowa, ADM, and local schools, as well as the volunteers and supporters who make this program possible.

Together, we can lend a helping hand and provide local kids with food, connection, and hope—every day of the week.

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