MT Food Bank Network distributes 57,524 packs of food to kids in 2024
As kids continue to grow, so does their state-wide BackPack Program
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News from the Montana Food Bank Network
MISSOULA – Montana Food Bank Network’s BackPack Program has been serving school-aged children all over Montana since 2008. Providing child-friendly, non-perishable food that can be easily prepared at home, BackPack bags are discreetly distributed to children before weekends or holidays to ensure they will have enough to eat. Every BackPack bag contains shelf-stable milk and enough food for a child to enjoy breakfast and lunch, including a vegetable cup and a fruit cup, for their weekend away from school.
This wouldn’t be possible without the support that MFBN has received from Town Pump Charitable Foundation since 2016. Samantha Dennison, MFBN’s Child Nutrition Manager shared, “What I appreciate most about Town Pump’s method of support is that they want to work collaboratively to establish successful programs for schools to serve their students the best way they can, without putting a lot of restrictions, barriers or requirements on schools.”
Funding from Town Pump Charitable Foundation allows MFBN to focus on the procurement and distribution of BackPack bags to serve 122 sites across the state. Those funds are the pillar of Montana Food Bank Network’s statewide BackPack program. MFBN and Town Pump believe that Montanans should have access to nutritious food. With 50% of Montana school students being eligible for free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch during the school week, they want to ensure that those students have access to easy to prepare meals for the weekends and when school is not in session. Bill McGladdery, Director of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation shared, “MFBN has been a leader in the state in working with food pantries, schools, and other organizations on the critical need for BackPacks. Through our partnership, we have been able to identify communities that need financial support and assist them with funding their programs.”
About Montana Food Bank Network:
Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is Montana’s only statewide food bank and member of Feeding America. We provide direct service to a network of 330 partners, including community food banks, pantries, schools, senior centers, shelters, and tribal centers. Our hunger relief programs include BackPack, Child Nutrition, Hunters Against Hunger, Mail-a-Meal, Retail Food Rescue, and SNAP Outreach. We also advocate for long-term policy solutions to strengthen public nutrition programs and address the root causes of hunger.
