Understanding Weekend Hunger
Recognizing Food Insecurity
40,000 kids
need daily lunch help
Washington State is made up of about 300 school districts with an enrollment of 1+ million students. Of those, 36% qualify for free and reduced lunch and about 42,000 of those are identified as homeless. Their last secure meal is Friday lunch, and the stretch to Monday breakfast at school is a very long time, especially for a little belly with a big growl!
Realizing the Consequences
Hunger has
long term
impacts
Children who regularly experience hunger also experience poorer overall health, higher levels of aggression, anxiety and hyperactivity, impaired cognitive thinking and diminished capacity to learn. This often results in lower test scores, poorer academic achievement, increased school absence, tardiness and school suspensions.
Bridging the Gap
It's not rocket science
While hunger and homelessness remain complicated problems, solving the problem of making sure school children have enough to eat is straightforward. That's where we come in. Every week, Backpack Brigade distributes thousands of food bags to over 78 K-12 schools in King County through the efforts and support of volunteers and sponsors.
Getting it Done
Thousands
of meals
each week
Every week of the school year, Backpack Brigade’s 100 volunteers pack 3,000 bags of nutritious, easy-to-eat food and deliver them to 78 K-12 schools in King County where they are distributed to students in need. Powered by volunteers and strengthened through donations, sponsors, and corporate partners, Backpack Brigade will end weekend hunger for kids in Washington.
Partnering with Us
Sponsors
are
critical
We would not exist or operate without the help of our amazing sponsors. Through the funding of generous supporters like Homestreet Bank, Windemere Foundation and The City of Seattle, we continue to ensure Seattle children are fed on weekends.
Volunteering with Us
You
make the
difference
You can make a difference by donating, volunteering to pack or deliver, leading a food drive, donating your services or helping us find more partners to support our effort. Powered by volunteers and strengthened through donations, you can help us provide nutritious food to more of Washington's hungry children each weekend.
