Fall Backpack Campaign 2019

Bright futures begin when students enter through these doors.

Our next generation of doctors, engineers, and business leaders can only reach their potential when they are well-fed and ready to learn. For children living in a food insecure household, they are in danger of being left behind and falling short of their dreams solely because they are hungry.

A recent survey conducted in 2019 found that 1 in 10 middle and high school students in Arlington self-reported that they did not have enough food to eat at home*. On weekends and long breaks when school meals are unavailable, food insecure children are left not knowing how many meals they will eat before the school doors reopen on Monday.

AFAC’s Backpack Buddies program fills the gap. Each week, dedicated volunteers deliver weekend meal kits to school social workers so they can discreetly distribute this food to students most in need. Reducing stigma and increasing accessibility to this nutritious food helps put their focus on school and being the best students they can be.

Please support our Backpack Buddies program so we can continue to help vulnerable schoolchildren in our community. Your donation is critical in making sure children have food over the weekend so they can walk through these school doors on Monday without grumbling stomachs.

In 2018-2019, AFAC was able to reach students at 22 Arlington Public Schools through this program. Your contribution will help us continue to meet this demand and prepare to serve additional students in need. Please consider making a donation today.

*2019 Community Report by the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, page 17