100 first and second graders at John A. Johnson Elementary are the recipients of the JLSP Backpack Buddy program.  Backpack Buddies provides nutritional meals and snacks to youth whose primary source of food is the school cafeteria. By providing food items for the weekend, the program bridges the nutritional gap for these students and improves their nourishment.  This helps ensure that their brains are fueled for learning in the classroom. 

98% of the students at Johnson Elementary qualify for free and reduced lunch. Backpack Buddies feeds 100 first and second graders on a weekly basis.

Members of the Junior League of Saint Paul volunteer to pack and deliver food each week so that it may be distributed to the children at the end of each school week. Every week the children receive the following:

•  2 breakfasts
• 3 dinners
• 2 fruits and vegetables
• 1 high protein item such as canned chicken or peanut butter and crackers for lunch
• 2 nutrient rich beverages such as 100% juice or shelf stable milk
• 2 snacks 

All of these items are able to be easily prepared, require no additional ingredients, and are individual servings.

The JLSP is an agency of Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest’s largest food bank, which allows for the purchase of healthy food at very low cost.  Our program is funded entirely through grants and donations. To Donate to Backpack Buddies click here.

For more information on the Backpack Buddy program contact community@jlsp.org.

The donation button above will redirect you to the GiveMN.org site.