Each Friday afternoon, about 500children in North County stop by the school office on their way home, to have their backpacks filled with kid-friendly food to ensure that they will have something nutritious to eat during the weekend. All of these children live in homes below the poverty level and in many cases, they rely on the free lunch program during the school week for their primary meal.
The members of the Assistance League of North Coast raised over $4,100 this month, to provide food to fill over 683 backpacks for children who are deemed “chronically hungry” by their elementary school. That is enough food to fill 50students’ backpacks until the end of this school year. By partnering with the North County Food Bank and their Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, the Assistance League of North Coast has expanded its service to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista.
“The Food 4 Kids Backpack Program is currently providing food to 3,300low-income elementary school students throughout San Diego County every Friday during the school Year,” says Vanessa Ruiz, VP of Operations for the San Diego Food Bank and their North County Food Bank chapter. “This food helps nourish these children over the weekend, so they can come back to school on Monday Ready to learn.” Ruiz continues saying, “We are so appreciative of the generous support we have received from the Assistance League North Coast to help the Food Bank sustain this critical program and feed hope in the North County community.”
