Family BackPack Program
When children leave school for the weekend or holidays, the last thing they should worry about is having enough to eat. The Family BackPack Program ensures that children and families at risk of hunger have nutritious food at home when school-based resources are not available.
The Food Bank originally launched the BackPack Program in 2006. Today, thousands of families benefit from the Program at 15 school sites directly funded by the Food Bank and its donors, as well as at 12 Community-Sponsored BackPack school sites. Learn more about the impact of these programs by reading our September 2023 Childhood Nutrition Impact Report.
Family BackPacks provided by the Food Bank contain items such as oatmeal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauce, beans, rice, protein, and more, and provide the foundation for 13 family-sized meals.
Food Bank Family BackPack locations:
Garland Quarles Elementary School – Winchester
Sugarland Elementary School – Sterling
Guilford Elementary School – Sterling
Virginia Avenue Charlotte Dehart Elementary School – Winchester
Altavista Elementary School – Altavista
Brookneal Elementary School – Brookneal
Dearington Elementary School – Lynchburg
William M. Bass Elementary School – Lynchburg
Hurt Elementary – Pittsylvania County
Craigsville Elementary School – Augusta County
Gus Bus – Harrisonburg City
Wenonah Elementary School – Waynesboro
William Perry Elementary School – Waynesboro
Central Elementary School – Fluvanna County
Greer Elementary School – Albemarle County
Community Sponsored BackPack Partners
Through Community-Sponsored BackPack partnerships, local organizations and groups work with the Food Bank to provide shelf-stable food to children and their families. These partners help us reach students in schools where there is a demonstrated need for additional food.
Community-Sponsored BackPack partners take advantage of the Food Bank’s volume discount to obtain food and agree to meet menu requirements to ensure children receive healthy nutrition. However, because these programs are run locally and funded by the partners, our partners often tailor their program to best meet their community’s specific needs. Many of our partner agencies also run backpack programs.
To learn more about becoming a Community Sponsored BackPack site, contact Zachary Nissen at znissen@brafb.org.
Community Sponsored BackPack Program partners and locations:
Northern Region Service Area
- Bright Futures – Winchester
- Duncan Memorial UMC – Berryville
- Page Alliance for Community Action – Luray
- Fremont Street Nursery – Winchester
Southern Region Service Area
- Parkview, Food for Thought – Lynchburg
- Feed the Need – Forest
Western Region Service Area
- St Peters Lutheran – Churchville
- Greenville UMC – Greenville
Eastern Region Service Area
- Legacy Church – Ruckersville
- Grace Episcopal Church – Lexington
- PB&J Fund – Charlottesville
- Feeding Greene – Standardsville
Also, we partner with the PB&J Fund on their Holiday Giving Program, through which 900 children in Charlottesville and Albemarle County receive food support during the holidays.
We thank these Program Donors (2023)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
- C.R. England
- Giant Family Foundation
- Emerson Charitable Trust
