River Bend Food Bank Transitions from Backpack Program to School Pantry Model
In a significant shift aimed at enhancing nutritional support for children and their families, River Bend Food Bank has announced plans to phase out its Backpack Program in favor of a more expansive school pantry format. This strategic move is expected to augment the quantity of meals provided to students, offering a potential fivefold increase compared to the Backpack Program.
Starting this month, the initial phase of this transition will involve over 20 schools where the Backpack Program will be discontinued. Instead of distributing pre-packaged bags of food each week, families will gain access to school pantries located directly at participating schools. This change will allow families to select a greater variety and quantity of food items, thereby reinforcing the Food Bank’s commitment to serving the community.
River Bend Food Bank President and CEO Chris Ford expressed optimism regarding the impact of this new approach, stating, “We know prioritizing school pantries is the smart choice and that this approach provides more food— an average of 54 pounds per month versus 12 pounds per month— at a fraction of the cost while serving the entire family.” He emphasized that this operational change not only addresses immediate food security needs but also maximizes efficiency in resource utilization.
Under the existing Backpack Program, the Food Bank has partnered with various schools and nonprofit afterschool initiatives to supply food packages to approximately 3,000 children every Friday. These packages typically contain meals sufficient for two breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. As this initiative pivots to school pantries, participating schools that currently lack these facilities will receive support to implement pantry programs.
This transition comes against the backdrop of recent developments involving federal legislation that will affect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of families. Ford highlighted the pressing need for organizations like River Bend Food Bank to adapt, stating, “It’s more important than ever that we do the most with the dollars and resources we have to provide hunger relief.” The shift to the school pantry model is designed not only to meet the growing needs of local families but also to ensure efficient use of resources during challenging economic times.
The new school pantries will offer a diverse array of food options, including fresh produce, meat, and frozen items—all contributing to significant cost savings for families. River Bend Food Bank Partnerships Director Nikki Habben noted, “School pantries may also offer fresh produce, meat, or frozen items to families— all at a significant cost savings. The new model means we can serve more food, more often to more people in a way that works most effectively with the Food Bank.”
This initiative marks a proactive step toward addressing the growing concerns of food insecurity among families in the region, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community welfare that focuses on both immediate aid and long-term nutritional support. As River Bend Food Bank embarks on this transition, the organization stands ready to tackle the challenges associated with hunger relief in a manner that is both effective and sustainable.
