A program providing free weekend food to kids who need it
With no access to school-provided meals on the weekends, some families struggle to provide enough food for their kids. The Weekend Backpack Program is a partnership between Franklin Public Schools and the Franklin Food Pantry to provide weekend food for kids in need. With enough food to eat, kids have the energy to do better in school, enjoy their friends, and are absent less often. Overall, they are healthier – physically and emotionally.
How it Works
- Backpacks are given to participating students each Friday in their schools.
- They are filled with child-friendly foods. Some examples are granola bars, oatmeal, SpaghettiOs, shelf stable milk and Ritz crackers.
- Backpacks are distributed to students in a discreet and caring manner. Names of students are kept confidential by the school and are not shared with the Franklin Food Pantry.
All students in the elementary schools and the ECDC are eligible to sign up at any time throughout the school year. Interested families should contact their own elementary school for sign-up information.
Check out the FAQ for more information on the program. If you have any questions, please contact backpack@franklinfoodpantry.org.
The Pantry is looking for adult volunteers to help fill the backpacks. Please see the sign-up genius for a schedule of packing sessions if you would like to help out. In addition, there are opportunities for teams from corporations and organizations to get involved. Please email backpack@franklinfoodpantry.org if you are interested in learning more about corporate opportunities. Thank you!
Thank you, Bristol County Savings Bank!
The Pantry is grateful for a $7,500 grant from Bristol County Savings Bank to support the Weekend Backpack Program which provides free weekend food for kids who need it. The grant will help fund backpacks filled with food that students can take home on Fridays during the school year and enjoy throughout the weekend.
