National Impact
Did you know that 13 MILLION CHILDREN are experiencing food insecurity? That’s one in six American children who may be struggling with access to food.
The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs. We want to make sure they’re getting nutritional meals over the weekend, too.
Blessings in a Backpack is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that distributed 2.2 million bags of ready-to-eat food to children during the 2020/21 school year at more than 1,090 schools in 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
On average, $130 will feed one child on the weekends for one 38-week school year through the Blessings in a Backpack program—the results: nourished kids ready to learn. Food is an essential building block, and in this case, it is truly a blessing, especially to a food-insecure child!
Visit the Get Involved section of our website to find out the various ways in which you can help Blessings in a Backpack feed more children.
What does it mean to be food-insecure?
Childhood Hunger in the United States
- Three out of four teachers say they have children in their classrooms who regularly come to school hungry.+
- Three prevalent consequences of hunger in schools: inability to concentrate, poor academic performance, and headaches, and stomach aches.+
- Nearly half (44%) of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) are kids.**
**Center on Budget and Policy Priorities