Weekend Hunger in My Neighborhood | Renton
22 schools | 940 students
Renton is a city built around working families.
From its early days as a coal mining and manufacturing town to its role in shaping modern aviation, generations of workers and families have helped build Renton into the community it is today.
Renton remains a major center for employment and opportunity for a diverse community of Seattleites. Today, more than 70% of residents age 16 and older participate in the labor force, exceeding Washington's statewide average.
Renton has been melting pot of culture for generations and today nearly 29% of Renton residents were born outside the United States. Renton is rich in thriving cultures, traditions, and perspectives that strengthen the community.
Why does weekend hunger happen in Renton?
Having a job doesn't always mean having enough.
Renton's median household income is approximately $100,432, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While that may sound substantial, the cost of living puts it into perspective. According to MIT's 2026 Living Wage Calculator, a household with two working adults and two children needs an estimated $167,000 annually to cover essentials, including housing, childcare, transportation, and food.
For many working families, even a steady paycheck may not be enough to keep up with everyday expenses.
That financial pressure is reflected in Renton's schools. As of October 2025, nearly half of Renton School District students (49.4%) qualified for free or reduced-price school meals. That's more than 7,000 students from households meeting income-based eligibility criteria.
Housing instability adds another layer to the story. During the 2025-26 school year, Renton School District identified 549 students experiencing homelessness under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. These students aren't necessarily living on the streets or in shelters. Some may be staying in motels, temporarily living with relatives, or sharing housing with another family because they have nowhere else to go. And even these numbers may not tell the whole story. Students experiencing housing instability aren't always identified, particularly when their circumstances are less visible.
For children navigating these challenges, access to consistent, nutritious food can provide one source of stability. And when school meals are no longer available over the weekend, families already stretched thin can face even greater challenges.
What does Backpack Brigade do in Renton?
We partner with schools to provide weekend food to more than 940 students every week.
Every child deserves reliable access to food, even when school is out for the weekend.
Backpack Brigade works with local schools to provide weekend food bags to students experiencing food insecurity. Each bag contains three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks, giving students access to food they can take home for the weekend.
In the Renton area, Backpack Brigade partners with 22 schools and programs, reaching approximately 940 students each week. Almost a thousand Renton school children rely on our services, week after week.
What can one gift do?
Just $7.50 provides a weekend food bag for one student.
That single bag contains 12 meals and snacks, helping a child return to school on Monday with the nourishment they need.
A $30 gift feeds a student for one month. And $255 will feed a student for the entire school year.
Each bag is one small but meaningful way our community can show up for its neighbors. Because ending weekend hunger in Renton isn't just about providing food. It's about giving children a more reliable source of nutrition and families one less thing to worry about when the weekend arrives.
Together, we can make weekends brighter for Renton's kids.
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