Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack in District 15 is a weekend food assistance program that provides students facing food insecurity with a bag of nutritious, shelf-stable food every Friday to take home. 

Program Overview

• Target Group: The program specifically serves elementary students who rely on federal free or reduced-price meals during the school week but may not have access to enough food over the weekend.
• Locations: While the initiative is district-wide, specific high-need schools like Lincoln Elementary in Palatine have dedicated programs; at Lincoln alone, the program provides weekend food for approximately 80 children.
• The "Blessing": Each bag typically contains 6–7 kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare items like granola bars, fruit cups, crackers, and shelf-stable proteins.
• Confidentiality: To eliminate stigma, bags are distributed discreetly by school staff, and the identities of participating families are kept confidential. 

Community Support in Palatine

The program relies heavily on local fundraising and partnerships through the Blessings in a Backpack Chicago Chapter: 

• Local Partners: Businesses like Spunky Dunkers in Palatine frequently hold "Benefit Days" where proceeds from specialty items (like red apple donuts) are donated to the program.
• Cost of Support: It costs $175 per year to provide one child with hunger-free weekends for the entire 38-week school year.
• Donations: Community members can support the local initiative by donating directly to School District 15's Feed15 Initiative or the broader Blessings in a Backpack Chicago Chapter.