Food Access for Children
Columbia Falls
Our Weekend Backpack Program distributes weekend food bags to children in families that rely on free or reduced school meals in the Columbia Falls School District. Our program coordinator prioritizes foods that are high in protein, food with little to no preparation, and items that are kid friendly! Although these bags are filled with shelf-stable food, we offer a Community Produce Fridge during the growing season for families to grab fresh, locally grown produce during the growing season.
Our Fresh Snack Friday program provides a local fresh produce snack like an apple from Moss Farm or a carrot from North Shore Farm, to more than 1000 students in the Columbia Falls schools.
Program Distribution
We partner with school counselors, nurses, teachers, and faculty at Glacier Gateway Elementary, Ruder Elementary, and the Columbia Falls Junior High School to distribute these weekend bags of food directly to students backpacks and/or lockers each week. This is how the program got its name – the Weekend Backpack Program!
At Columbia Falls High School, students can select items from our choice model in-school pantry each week.
Thursday Pickup
Each Thursday from 2:30pm – 5:30pm we have an open pickup at two locations in Columbia Falls where any family can pick up bags if they don’t receive them through the schools. Each bag provides two weekend suppers, lunches, and breakfasts as well as a variety of healthy and high-protein snacks.
Thursday Pick Up Sites:
Volunteer With Us
We welcome individuals and groups that want to come volunteer with the Weekend Backpack Program. We give out 375+ bags a week and can always use extra help to create weekend bags! Please see the volunteer schedule & sign up at the button below.
VolunteeringWeekend Backpack Program
In Action
