Pack the Bag

Food for Kids is a collaboration between Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee and hundreds of public schools within the food bank’s 18-county service area. The program provides healthy, easily-prepared food to children likely to miss meals on a regular basis. Teachers at each school compile a list of students in their classroom who may be at risk of hunger to receive food from the program. Each bag of food contains fruit, dairy, veggies, grains, and a protein. These foods are all kid-friendly, requiring no additional utensils so that children are able to easily access them, no matter their home situation.

These children are discreetly given food — for themselves and any siblings they may have at home — every Friday throughout the school year. We often receive reports of improved self-esteem, behavior, and concentration among Food for Kids participants.