The problem of childhood hunger is not simply a moral issue. Hunger hampers a young persons ability to learn. 14 million or approximately 19% of children in the U.S. live in poverty. One in eight Americans receive food assistance from the nations charitable food distribution system annually. Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children.

Today there is a quick way to provide students with nutritional meals while in school. Most students depend on the cafeteria to provide them with breakfast and lunch leaving them with nothing to eat for supper. It is very important for each student to have a healthy meal so all of the students nutritional and mental needs are met.

Changing lives through nutrition: blessings in a backpack.

The Backpack Program concept was developed at the Arkansas Rice Depot. The Backpack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. summer is no vacation for hungry children.

Lexa is a Hispanic second grader who attends an elementary school located in a poverty county. She is underweight for her age. She lives with siblings and cousins. Mother is the only adult who works outside the home. Father stays at home to care for the three younger siblings, Lexa, and her cousins. Lexa looks forward to receiving the food-filled backpacks on Fridays. Her parents have commented at Parent/Teacher Conferences on how grateful they are to receive the backpack.

Ray is a six year old Caucasian male in the first grade. He is one of four children living in a very small house trailer. Mother does not have a current job. Dad just returned home from prison. Ray mentioned being hungry at school and said their cabinets were empty. He mentioned to his teacher one day that his mom would not be able to go to the place where they keep free food until next week. His name was turned in for the backpack program. Now Ray not only eats breakfast and lunch at school but also receives kid- friendly food for the weekend.

No summer program. Right now this program is only offered and available throughout the academic school year. What will the children do for food during the summer months? How could we deal with this issue? If this program proves to be efficient in servicing our students throughout the school year; then we could look to outside collaborative support to help us either raise money or donate food so we could continue this service throughout the summer months as well.

Food drives for Food For Kids and Food For Senior Collect supplies for our disaster relief kits and host a kit making party. These kits will be a huge resource as we get in to Arkansas's disaster season. Get together with friends and create kits with a day's food for Food For Kids. A one gallon Ziploc bag will hold everything that a kid will need for one day, and will make the packing process stress-free for the Food For Kids Coordinators in our schools! Take your family to your local grocery store and shop for the Arkansas Rice Depot. Have your children pick out the kid-friendly items on our Food For Kids wish list while you teach them about helping the hungry in Arkansas.

Area Department Stores: Target, Wal-mart, K-mart, SAMS Club Community Services Organizations: Chamber of Commerce, Food Bank of North East Arkansas Local area churches Local area schools