Backpack Program

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. More than 1,800 children in 62 schools across the Ozarks benefit from this innovative, life-changing program that began in 2003.

66K

Food Bags

provided annually
62

Schools

partner with Ozarks Food Harvest for distribution
17

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.

Donate

Feeding hope one backpack at a time

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.

Sponsor a Weekend Backpack Child

Participating Springfield schools

Arthur Mallory ECC, Bingham, Bissett, Boyd, Campbell ECC, Carver Middle, Delaware, Disney, Fremont, Fulbright ECC, Holland, Horace Mann, Jeffries, McBride, Pershing Elementary & Middle, Pittman, Pleasant View Elementary & Middle, Rountree, Sequiota, Shady Dell ECC, Sherwood, Sunshine, Truman, Wanda Gray, Watkins, Westport, Wilder, York

Outlying schools

Bakersfield, Bolivar, Bronaugh, Crane, Everton, Exeter, Fair Play, Galena, 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), Pineville, Richards (West Plains), Richland, Rocky Comfort, 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, our available funding and current operations.

Partnerships for the 2026-27 school year have been determined.

Future requests will be reviewed in the spring for consideration in the 2027-28 school year, or as resources become available.

To request partnership, please complete the Weekend Backpack Program Request Form and return to [email protected]

Request form for a School Food Pantry Partnership

Annual radio-thon supports backpack program

Hungerthon is Ozarks Food Harvest’s annual radio-thon fundraiser for the Weekend Backpack Program. Tune into the 28th annual Hungerthon to help provide meals for children facing hunger in southwest Missouri.

This year’s Hungerthon airs September 11-14, 2026, on five Zimmer Communications radio stations in the Springfield area: 98.7 The Dove, 93.7 The Stage, 96.9 The Jock, Real Country 101.3, and 93.3 AM 560 KWTO.

Or, you can become a supporter at any time 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-time gift of $360, or $30 a year, sponsors a child for a full school-year of weekend meals.

In 2025, Hungerthon raised $235,000 to help children access nourishing meals over the weekends.