Backpack Programs for Harrisonburg Families

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?
  • 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.

Get Connected to Project Leaders

Keister  & Bluestone Elementary Schools
Fiscal Agent: Trinity Presbyterian Church
​Smithland, Spotswood, & Stone Spring Elementary Schools
Fiscal Agent: RISE Harrisonburg
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Waterman Elementary
Fiscal Agent: Patchwork Pantry

Skyline Middle School & Thomas Harrison Middle School
Fiscal Agent: The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham