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Food Bank Campaign Takes Aim At Childhood Hunger

The Montana Food Bank Network is promoting a social media campaign around the Superbowl to help get food to kids in schools.
Courtesy Montana Food Bank Network
The Montana Food Bank Network is promoting a social media campaign around the Superbowl to help get food to kids in schools.

1 in 5 children in Montana are at risk of not having enough to eat. The Montana Food Bank Network is promoting a social media campaign around the Superbowl to help get food to kids in schools.

Children generally have access to nutritious meals in school, but may go hungry on weekends and vacation days.

The BackPack Program found a solution to that problem. In 2008, the DeSmet School in Missoula tried discreetly handing students bags of kid-friendly, easy to prepare meals for days they’re not in school.

The school’s Shelley Andres says the program eases the burden for families, and that kids come to school less hungry on Mondays. But she’s also seen more.

“One of the things I’ve noticed is how grateful families are, and how thankful they are."

Stephanie Stratton, with the Montana Food Bank Network, says that since 2008 the program has grown exponentially, now in 97 school sites feeding 3,000 kids per week.

They encourage people to donate to the program and show their support for children’s nutrition by wearing jerseys this Friday, with Superbowl Sunday coming up.

“It could be your local high school’s football jersey, or an NFL team, whatever you like. It’s just the idea to root for your community and show your support by rockin a jersey, ” Stratton says.

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