Weekend Backpack Program battles childhood hunger

Hundreds of students in the Imperial County will be receiving backpacks filled with food thanks to a partnership between local schools and the Imperial Valley Food Bank.

Juan Aguilar is the principal at Lincoln Elementary School. His school is one of the many in the county that partners with the Imperial Valley Food Bank’s Weekend Backpack Program to make sure that their students don’t go home hungry for the weekend.

Aguilera said, “You know it’s very difficult to learn on an empty stomach. It’s difficult to look at other priorities when food is not on the table. So the fact that we’re able to provide that food for them, it’s one less concern that they have.”

Aguilera said the looks on the student’s faces when they receive the backpack filled with food showed their gratification.

“They open the backpack and they look through it. And you can just see the smiles that they’re bringing food home for the weekend,” said Aguilera.

The Weekend Backpack Program, which feeds 700 students a week, is only funded through donations. With more donors, the food bank would be able to feed more children.

Ariana Ochoa, the Imperial Valley Food Bank Program Coordinator said, “We need donors so we can keep feeding more children. Yeah, 700 is not too much per week. We know it’s a big town. There’s more children that need food.”

Volunteers make it possible to ensure all 700 backpacks are filled with food every week.

“Without them, maybe I’m not going to do all 700 bags. Because it takes time. So thanks to them, the volunteers I’m able to feed 700 children per week,” said Ochoa.

The Weekend Back Program begins in the second week of September.

Those who want to donate or sponsor a child can go to www.ivfoodbank.com/support