How Illinois Backpack Program Feeds Thousands of Families Each Week
A vital food support system is helping families across northern Illinois through the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Backpack Program. Each week, students at 190 schools—including Kenneth L. Hermansen Elementary in Romeoville—receive backpacks containing 12 pounds of food to take home on Fridays. For families like Leilani’s, this initiative fills a critical gap when school meals are unavailable.
The Backpack Program provides each child with a backpack containing 12 pounds of food, enough for ten meals. Inside, families find staples like canned goods, pasta, and cereal. These supplies stretch the household’s grocery budget, often leaving leftovers for the following day.
The Backpack Program continues to expand, reaching more schools and families in need. With ongoing community support, it provides a reliable source of food for thousands of children across northern Illinois. The initiative helps ease financial pressure on households while ensuring no child goes hungry over weekends or holidays.
