Now that school is back in session the Food Bank of Lincoln is gearing up for their Backpack program. “It’s an opportunity for students to be able to take home a bag of food every Friday to make sure they have a couple of meal options for themselves and for their family over the weekend,” says Youth and Senior Program Manager Kati Umberger.
She says says elementary students who qualify for free and reduced lunches can take part in the backpack program. “It’s not uncommon for us to send about 2,000 bags out on a weekly basis.” She says about half the backpacks go to LPS students and the other half to schools outside the Lincoln area.
“Over the duration of the school year we tend to distribute about 70,000 food filled backpacks,” Umberger tells KLIN News. Distribution of the bags will begin September 1 and will continue for 34 weeks during the school year.
She says they also offer food markets and pantries to students in all grades. That gives them the chance to have access to food whenever they need it. Umberger says these programs wouldn’t be possible without the community support they receive.