Hungry and homeless children are a reality in our community. When kids come to school on Mondays hungry, they are often listless, agitated and it is difficult for them to focus on learning. Children’s Health Watch states “children who struggle with hunger are likely to be sick more often, to recover from illness more slowly, and to be hospitalized more frequently.” The Harvard School Breakfast Research Summary tells us “children who regularly do not get enough nutritious food to eat tend to have significantly higher levels of behavioral, emotional and academic problems and ted to be more aggressive and anxious. Our mission for “Food Backpack for Kids” is simple: “Together, no child will go hungry.” Food Backpack for Kids short-term purpose is to provide ready to eat, pre-packaged meals to children at risk for hunger on weekends during the school year. Our long-term purpose is to reap the benefits of these young people as adults giving of themselves back to our community, state, and country.