Backpack Blessings in a ministry that began in the Fall of 2015. The purpose of the program is to provide supplemental food, for registered children, to help them receive adequate nutrition over the weekend. When kids are in school they have access to breakfast and lunch. For various reasons, they might not receive the same over the weekend. The ministry services Holdrege Elementary, All Saints, and Head Start. When the program started in September of 2015, there were 82 kids enrolled. Currently we deliver over 100 packs every week! Many community members were surprised that children in our community were going hungry on the weekend. This is not a problem that we can ignore. Kids that go without food throughout the weekend come to school on Monday malnourished and unable to learn. This project helps with this problem. Kids need nutrition 7 days a week in order to grow and thrive.
This project is ongoing. We have a large number of churches, non-profits and businesses that assist in the packing process. The program has found a permanent home at the South Central Area Recovery Center located on East Ave in Holdrege. Packing is completely monthly with delivery happening weekly during the school year. Packs are distributed to the summer lunch program for disbursement during the summer months.