I’m thankful for the food that you give us because I have barely enough food to eat at my house.Erica, age 8
Food bags ensure children have the food they need to grow and thrive
Ozarks Food Harvest’s Weekend Backpack Program provides children facing hunger with a bag of nutritious, child-friendly food items to take home every weekend of the school year. Nearly 1,700 children in 59 schools across the Ozarks benefit from this innovative, life-changing program that began in 2003.
62K
Food Bags
provided annually
59
Schools
partner with Ozarks Food Harvest for distribution
16
Counties
benefit from the Weekend Backpack Program
How does it work?
Every Friday, Weekend Backpack Program students receive a food bag before they leave school for the weekend
Each food bag contains six nutritious, balanced, easy-open meals to last the weekend. Participating students are identified by teachers and counselors who interact with the children on a daily basis. Ozarks Food Harvest only accepts monetary donations for the program so we can purchase specific nutritious items in bulk to receive a discounted rate. School faculty report improved comprehension, attendance, self-esteem, health and grades among participating students. Watch this spotlight to learn more.
Each food bag includes meals for two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and two snacks, plus beverages. Examples of items offered include chicken salad, macaroni, beef stew, mixed vegetables, corn, pears, mandarin oranges, fat-free white milk and chocolate milk, pretzels, and oatmeal. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and soap are also distributed to rural schools. All of the food bags and hygiene kits are assembled by volunteers at Ozarks Food Harvest and delivered to schools in bulk by The Food Bank’s drivers.
Bakersfield, Bolivar, Bronaugh, Crane, Everton, Exeter, Fair Play, Hartville, Hollister, Hubble (Marshfield), Humansville, Hurley, Lutie, Mallory (Buffalo), Manes, Marion C. Early (Morrisville), Monett ECC, Elementary & Intermediate, Mount Vernon, Northeast Vernon County (Schell City), Richards (West Plains), Richland, Sheldon, Skyline (Norwood), Southwest RV (Washburn) Thornfield, Walnut Grove, Winona
The Weekend Backpack Program is a critical food program for kids
Children experiencing hunger often have difficulty concentrating, are socially withdrawn or have behavioral issues, and are more likely to get sick or have trouble learning in school. What started as a partnership with just one local school has expanded to about 60 schools across southwest Missouri. Ozarks Food Harvest works to expand this program each year to make sure underserved communities have the resources they need.
Due to the increased demand for participation in the Weekend Backpack Program, Ozarks Food Harvest must prioritize schools that request assistance. Program partnership is based on information such as area need, existing resources in the school district, available funding and current operations. Partnerships for the 2025-26 school year will be determined by August 1, 2025. Requests received after August 1 will be reviewed in the spring for consideration in the 2026-27 school year, or as resources become available.
Since 1999, Ozarks Food Harvest has partnered with iHeartRadio for Hungerthon, the annual radio-thon fundraiser for the Weekend Backpack Program. In 2025, Hungerthon raised $253,000 to provide meals to children over the weekends. You can become a supporter anytime by donating online now and designating your gift to the Weekend Backpack Program. You can also call Ozarks Food Harvest with your donation at (417) 865-3411.
A one-year sponsorship is $360 or $30 a month, and one school semester sponsorship is $180 or $15 a month.
I'm thankful for the food that you give us because it fills me up and makes me happy and full and I like it! Thank you very much!
