In Cambridge, a promise of food security for students comes in a backpack
The state-funded backpack program will be studied as a pilot in a possible expansion throughout Massachusetts.
Boston .com - Meagan McGinnes October 19, 2021
"The concept is simple: discreetly help children get nutritious food to eat over the weekend by placing prepared breakfasts, lunches, and snacks in their backpacks. Some schools disseminate the bags by placing them in students backpacks when they are at an activity, others let the students pick up the bags themselves before leaving in the afternoon."
The state-funded backpack program will be studied as a pilot in a possible expansion throughout Massachusetts.
Boston .com - Meagan McGinnes October 19, 2021
"The concept is simple: discreetly help children get nutritious food to eat over the weekend by placing prepared breakfasts, lunches, and snacks in their backpacks. Some schools disseminate the bags by placing them in students backpacks when they are at an activity, others let the students pick up the bags themselves before leaving in the afternoon."
Food Security in a Backpack
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Facing the Hunger Crisis in Cambridge
Take Part August 26, 2021
"Last year, over the winter holidays, I heard a heartbreaking story on NPR about schoolchildren who were undernourished during weekends and school breaks. A holiday break of 12 days was a long time to go without regular meals for students whose primary source of nutrition is the school cafeteria. Sitting in my car, I couldn't help thinking about how I had just spent those same days with family and friends and food—so much food—everywhere. I was stunned to realize that the time I looked forward to each year was a time of distress and hunger for many of America's children and families. We all know hunger exists, but the reality of these children's stories haunted me."
Take Part August 26, 2021
"Last year, over the winter holidays, I heard a heartbreaking story on NPR about schoolchildren who were undernourished during weekends and school breaks. A holiday break of 12 days was a long time to go without regular meals for students whose primary source of nutrition is the school cafeteria. Sitting in my car, I couldn't help thinking about how I had just spent those same days with family and friends and food—so much food—everywhere. I was stunned to realize that the time I looked forward to each year was a time of distress and hunger for many of America's children and families. We all know hunger exists, but the reality of these children's stories haunted me."
Cambridge Backpack Program Provides
Low-Income Students with Weekend Food
Cambridge Chronicle - February 19, 2014.
"Every Friday morning, rain, shine or snow, Alanna Mallon can be found in the cafeteria at the Tobin Montessori School in North Cambridge sorting through boxes of food and preparing them for distribution. Volunteers meet Mallon at the back door to drive the boxes to one of five other schools where more volunteers will pack food into individual backpacks for students to take home over the weekend."
Low-Income Students with Weekend Food
Cambridge Chronicle - February 19, 2014.
"Every Friday morning, rain, shine or snow, Alanna Mallon can be found in the cafeteria at the Tobin Montessori School in North Cambridge sorting through boxes of food and preparing them for distribution. Volunteers meet Mallon at the back door to drive the boxes to one of five other schools where more volunteers will pack food into individual backpacks for students to take home over the weekend."
Click on the below link to hear a conversation about the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program between Alanna Mallon, Cambridge's Morse Elementary School Principal Patricia Beggy & WBUR's Sacha Pfeiffer.
For all media inquiries, please contact Shauna Kelleher at [email protected]
