Backpack Programs for Harrisonburg Families
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HEF is excited to support our coalition of Backpack Programs that support students and families of Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Join us in learning more about these important projects and the ways our community members can get involved.
Some students comment on the food bags, "thank you, we will eat good tonight!" All of the children have big smiles on their faces when we drop the bags off and the families say thank you so much! |
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What is a Backpack Program?
The Backpack Program is a supplemental weekend food program for school children in need. These bags contain a combination of foods ready for consumption by children and other groceries for meals to be prepared by adults. Sometimes a bag goes home from school with a child. Sometimes a bag is delivered to a home.
Why are Backpack Programs important?
The Backpack Program is a supplemental weekend food program for school children in need. These bags contain a combination of foods ready for consumption by children and other groceries for meals to be prepared by adults. Sometimes a bag goes home from school with a child. Sometimes a bag is delivered to a home.
Why are Backpack Programs important?
- Bags go home with children who otherwise may not have enough to eat on the weekend.
- Children facing food scarcity often have other challenges in the home. As community members, we have limited ways to make a direct impact on vulnerable kids. However, we CAN help remove the burden of food scarcity.
- Food insecurity creates chronic stress for children, impacting their ability to learn and achieve academically. By ensuring that there is adequate food in the home, we help mitigate this developmentally detrimental obstacle.
- Hunger can cause children to be distracted or disruptive. The Backpack Program helps the entire school’s learning environment.
- Backpack Programs bags are received with gratitude by the families in need. For families and children that are struggling, this assistance is reassuring and encouraging.
- Meeting a student’s basic physical needs is a division-wide objective, as stated in the current HCPS Strategic Plan
- The Backpack Program benefits our teachers. Friday departures can be difficult, as many teachers worry about their students for a variety of reasons over the weekend. Teachers appreciate when their parent community is able to understand and take actions to help the most vulnerable kids. In this way, the Backpack Program emotionally supports our educators as well.
Who makes Backpack Programs happen?
Backpack programs are driven by community volunteers, supported by fiscal agent partners and aided by local foodbank partnerships. Schools provide the connection to families.
Backpack programs are driven by community volunteers, supported by fiscal agent partners and aided by local foodbank partnerships. Schools provide the connection to families.
Backpack Programs are high impact for the time and money they cost to implement. Driven by volunteers, your donation fund the needs of children. Every hour of volunteer effort directly benefits the children. There are very few programs that do so much with such a small investment.
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How can I get involved?
What is the Backpack Coalition? Learn more about the Backpack Coalition in partnership with HEF. Harrisonburg Education Foundation is pleased to help donors support backpack programs. A 100% of the funds received for Backpack Programs (minus any credit card fees) will be directed to active programs through their fiscal agents. By working together, we hope that all programs can be successful in supporting students and families that need it the most. |
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