Salvation Army of La Porte to Launch 2015 Backpack Food for Kids

BackpackFoodforKids-2015The Salvation Army of LaPorte will be launching the Backpack Food for Kids program again this school year. The food assistance program provides eligible schoolchildren with nutritious, kid-friendly items and ready to eat meals for weekends. In past years, we provided between 54,000-72,000 meals each year to LaPorte schoolchildren at Handley, Hailman, Riley and Lincoln elementary schools.

The program has grown from 50 to around 300 schoolchildren this year. We anticipate supporting around 300 schoolchildren with 6 nutritious weekend meals again this school year, and are asking for the community's help.

Seed-starter money from the Thomas Lyle Williams grant launched this program off the ground and in full swing in 2012/2013. As our generous seed starter funds deplete, we rely even more on community donations to grow this program and keep it going as a long-term endeavor.

We are asking LaPorte area community groups, churches, businesses and residents to support the program with either financial or food donations. Financial donations allow us to purchase food items at a greatly discounted cost through our co-op relationship.

Below are some examples of food donations that the program can utilize. Food should be individually wrapped and easy for a child to prepare. Healthy, low sugar meals are preferred as is soft food, which is easier for children with limited dental care to eat.

Ready-to-serve pastas (typical brands are Chef Boyardee and/or Hormel)
Ready-to-serve soups (with pull-off tops)
Fruit or applesauce cups
100% Fruit Juice boxes or pouches
Soft protein bars or cereal bars
Soft granola or trail mix bars
Cereal, single-serving
Jell-O and pudding cups
Crackers such as cheddar cheese, peanut butter or graham (individually packaged)
Raisins, fruit snacks or other healthy, individually packaged snacks

Any donated food items that can't be used for the Backpack for Food program will be given to the Salvation Army of LaPorte food pantry.

Drop monetary and food donations to:
The Salvation Army of La Porte
3240 Monroe Ave
La Porte, IN
Monday-Friday
9am-noon or 1pm-4pm.

Call us with questions: 219.326.5342