Faces of Hunger: The Child and The BackPack Program

Small Hands Enjoy Heavy BackPacks of Nutritious Food With Foodbank

BackPack Program

“I never imagined that I would find myself in this situation, but this is where I am, and I am going to make the best of it for my children,” said Sharon Gonzalez whose three children are recipients of the BackPack program. Gonzalez, working her way through a rehabilitation program at the Good Samaritan Shelter, the partner and member agency for the Foodbank and the BackPack program, says the extra helps makes a “huge difference” in the lives of her children.

“We are lucky to be staying here at the shelter, have a roof over our head and a bed and the BackPacks are a god send for the kids,” said Gonzalez. “It gives them something that is just for them, that I can’t give them right now, and it is good food that they like.”

Proud of their mom and happy to have a place to stay, to attend school and make new friends at the shelter, Brianna, 13, and Victoria Rose, 4, along with their little brother Bradley, 21 months, each have favorite items they receive in the BackPacks. “I like the chocolate soy milk,” Brianna says as Bradley grabs the apple sauce cup.

“We are very lucky to have this program,” said Gonzalez who had heard of the Foodbank and after a couple of weeks at the Shelter asked if her children qualified for the program. “I was so happy when I found out they all did. It is a great program and they look forward to getting the backpacks. It makes a big difference for us and this way I can focus more on what I am learning here at the shelter and I look forward to getting a job and a house for my kids,” she said.

The Foodbank launched the highly successful BackPack program in 2006 to target children who are living in transitional housing and are at high risk for malnutrition. During the school year, they receive free lunches and snacks, but they must fend for themselves on the weekend, when food is scarce and traditional emergency food sources are not available.

Every Thursday hundreds of back packs are filled with ready-to-eat, nutritious foods such as peanut butter, fresh fruit, bottled water, 3 oz cans of pop-top of tuna fish, and other easy to prepare and nutritious meals that children enjoy.

On Fridays, the assembled back packs are delivered to children in transitional living situations and provide six healthy meals for the weekend. On Monday the back packs are brought back and the whole process begins again. Currently, the Foodbank supports BackPack distributions in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and New Cuyuma.

Each back pack weighs about 10 pounds. One young recipient was overheard saying “it’s heavy, but it’s a good heavy”.