The Food 4 Kids Program is an emergency food assistance program designed especially for  chronically hungry kids during the school year. Food 4 Kids allows children who are hungry to access  food for themselves and their siblings for the weekend and/or holiday vacation. The food is placed in a backpack for the student to carry home thus removing the stigma a child might experience with carrying home a bag of groceries. The program reduces the delay children experience between parents receiving a referral to a food pantry, the parents getting to the food pantry and preparation of the food at home. The food items are meant to get them through the weekend, when school meals are not available and/or while parents/legal guardians may be working.

Sample items might include: Peanut butter, beans and franks (pop-top can), cereal, juice boxes, fruit cups, raisins, pudding cups, granola bars, shelf-stable milk, Mac and cheese. In November 2006, the San Diego Food Bank piloted the first Food 4 Kids Backpack Program at Lexington Elementary in El Cajon. A total of 250 children received a backpack full of child-friendly, shelf-stable food on a weekly basis.

Who is Eligible?

• San Diego County schools with 80% or more kids on free or reduced lunch
  
• Chronically hungry children hand selected by teachers

What documents are required upon enrollment?

• All participating schools are required to submit a referral form per each child enrolled
  
• Each child must return a signed permission slip from their parent/guardian

How many schools are currently enrolled?

• During the 08/09 school year 8 schools will be enrolled with
  a total of 200 students.
  
  
  • Kimbrough Elementary – Central Coast area
    
  • Garfield Elementary – Central area
    
  • King – Chavez Elementary - Central Coast area
    
  • Children Choice – East County
    
  • Bobier Elementary – North County
    
  • Maryland Elementary – North County
    
  • Carsen Elementary - Central area
    
  • Herbert Ibarra Elementary – Central Inland area

How much does it cost to feed a child for a year?

• $324 will guarantee one child a bag of kid-friendly food every Friday for 36 weeks.

**To learn how to sponsor a school, please call the San Diego Food Bank at 866-350-FOOD (3663)