Backpack Program Feeds Hungry Oklahoma Kids Over Weekends

Thousands of Oklahoma kids are chronically hungry. That's why many of them rely on free meals at school and a blue backpack for the weekend.

"We have to fill the stomach before we can put information into the brain," said Deborah Craven, a teacher at Central Oak Elementary school in Oklahoma City.

Craven says she knows what it takes for her second grade students to succeed - and it's not just knowledge.

"We notice students that are hungry aren't able to concentrate, they're not ready to settle down in their seats, the readiness just isn't there," she said.

The school has identified at least 50 students who suffer from hunger at home. They're among more than 18,500 chronically hungry students across the state. While they do offer free meals at school, it doesn't sustain them through the weekends.

"It feels really good to be able to send backpacks home with them," said Assistant Principal Laura Knight.

Through the Regional Food Bank's Food for Kids program, food is distributed to more than 500 Oklahoma schools.

"High protein foods, high carb foods, low fat foods, not many chemicals, everything is pretty fresh and pretty wholesome," Craven said about the food.

The kid friendly foods are put into backpacks and sent home with eligible students on Fridays for them to eat over the weekend.

"I'm actually the one that distributes them every Friday that we're in school," said Knight. "The students run down the hall to come get the food."

"I think the students are happier that we have the program, they look forward to it," added Craven.

A $200 donation provides a backpack of food for one child for an entire school year. If you are interested in starting the Food for Kids Backpack Program at your school or have a question about the program, please email backpackprogram@regionalfoodbank.org or call 405-604-7103.