Schools who participate in the BackPack Program are those that demonstrate a need, according to their respective rates of free/reduced lunch program participation, and located in neighborhoods with limited access to charitable services such as food pantries or soup kitchens. Through this program, food packs are distributed to children who are identified by caring teachers and staff members as showing signs that he or she is living in a high hunger-risk situation.
PARENTS: The Food Bank does not provide school supplies, uniforms, or actual backpacks. If you need these items, please call the United Way 211 Helpline for a list of providers. The San Antonio Food Bank BackPack Program is a school-based emergency food assistance partnership.
Program Objectives:
- To provide children at-risk of hunger with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for preparation and consumption at their place of residence.
- To distribute nutritious, wholesome food in a caring, discreet manner.
- To reach out to the entire family to assist them in accessing other services provided by the San Antonio Food Bank and the San Antonio Food Bank SNAP Outreach Center.
- To involve additional resources and partners in order to assure sustainability of the program.
Program Wish List:
- Single-serve, 6 oz pop-top cans of meat, pasta, fruit, corn or green beans
- Granola bars
- 100% juice boxes
- Single-serve trail mix, nuts, or dried fruit
- Shelf-stable chocolate milk
- Single-serve boxes of cereal gallon-size zip-close bags
Online Forms:
Schools wishing to participate in the BackPack Program will need to submit an application to the San Antonio Food Bank.
To apply to become a program partner:
Please send a letter on school letterhead:
- Explaining school need
- Reporting your most recent PEIMS free/reduced meal data for your students.
**Schools with 80% or greater free/reduced meal participation will be added to the BackPack Program waiting list until a sponsor is found to underwrite your school.
Send to:
Attn: BackPack Program
San Antonio Food Bank
5200 Historic Old Hwy 90,
San Antonio, Texas 78227
For questions regarding the BackPack Program, please contact:
BACKPACK PROGRAM
210.431.8323
backpacks@safoodbank.org