Food Backpack Program

According to 2019 data from the Census Bureau, 27.9% of the Little Falls population live below the poverty line.  Food scarcity and hunger are challenges faced by many children without our school district.  In 2017, it was reported that 60% of students were being provided free or reduced fare lunch, and many of these children were only having a meal or two at home on the weekend.  When this information was brought to Outreach, we swiftly began work with the district to combat these nutritional deficiencies.

The Food Backpack Program began providing backpacks of food (in 2018) for the weekends and breaks to elementary students, however the program was expanded to include middle and high school students as well.

In 2019, our Food Backpack Program served approximately 45 students/week (during the school year), providing food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food was also provided during the breaks. 

When COVID-19 arrived and the shutdown began, we partnered with the Little Falls City School District to continue delivering much-needed food to the students.  We successfully secured grant money and generous donations to make it happen, along with the (ongoing) support of the Central New York Food Bank.

The program was further expanded in 2020 understanding the pandemic's impact on our community's families.  It was decided that the Food Backpack Program would continue through summer.  The generosity of the Little Falls Youth & Family Center (formerly YMCA) and volunteers from LF Volunteer Corp helped the program carry on. We were able to provide food 7 days/week to 63 students.

During the 2020-2021 school year, we share these services with 70 students per week.

We are currently collaborating with Connect Community Schools within the Little Falls city school district to carry out this program. 

Food insecurity is an ongoing concern within our community and we refuse to let our children go hungry. The Food Backpack Program is essential and your support is appreciated for this worthy effort.