Research has shown that students who are not hungry attend school more regularly, have improved academic achievement, and have fewer disciplinary issues at school.
The Bethlehem Central High School Student Senate is sponsoring a districtwide effort to address food insecurity and food shortages affecting some of our students through a weekend backpack food program. The program is intended to supplement food resources for affected students when school is not in session, focusing on weekends, holidays and school breaks.
Any student K-12 can participate
Backpacks for students across the district are filled by staff and student volunteers every Friday (and before breaks) at the high school. Each backpack contains nonperishable, individually-portioned nutritious foods.
The backpacks are distributed discreetly to participating students at their schools each week.
Food items in the backpacks
The contents of the backpacks can change from week to week. Backpacks often include:
- Granola and/or breakfast bars
- Cereal boxes (single-serve boxes)
- Instant oatmeal packets or microwavable cups
- 100% Juice boxes
- Water bottles
- Mac & Cheese (single-serve microwavable packets)
- Canned ravioli, pasta, SpaghettiOs, meatballs
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Ramen noodles
- Peanut butter. plastic containers
- Jelly, plastic containers
- Cookies/crackers (single-serve, including peanut butter sandwich crackers)
- Fruit cups
- Pudding cups
- Fruit snacks & Rice Krispie treats
- Microwave popcorn
- Bread
- Coupons for milk
How to sign up for the BC Weekend Backpack Program
A letter of invitation will be sent to all families in the district at the beginning of each school year. Throughout the school year, some students are identified by school counselors, social workers, teachers, school nurses, and principals. For these students, a parent or guardian is contacted with information. Permission to participate in the program must be given by the child’s parent or guardian. If you would like your student to participate in the program, please reach out to your child’s school nurse.