Students in Washington High School’s Missouri Options class made their weekly visit to Loving Hearts Outreach in Washington on Thursday, September 19, to help with the School District of Washington’s Backpack Program.

Missouri Options students helped pack the backpacks and load them to be delivered.

Also on hand were Missouri Options instructor Grant Young. SDOW Social Worker Lindsey Jasper coordinates the Backpack Program.

The School District of Washington’s Fighting Hunger & Fueling Minds food backpack program began in February, 2013.

The program serves students who may face food insecurities during the weekend, when school breakfast and lunch is unavailable. The food backpack program is based on collaboration between the School District of Washington and Loving Hearts Outreach.  This collaboration, along with the support of volunteers from civic organizations, churches and individual volunteers, allows the program to run and support children in need of food for the weekend. 

The program also provides an important community connection for students enrolled in Missouri Options, an Alternative Education program at the School District of Washington. The students pack the food sacks, load the sacks into the volunteer vehicles and then continue volunteering at Loving Hearts food pantry.  The program provides food to students in need while allowing community connections to at-risk students.  

The Fighting Hunger & Fueling Minds program provides a sack of food to any student in need in the school district. There are no qualifying requirements for a student to utilize the food program. Students and families can self-refer to the program or can be referred by a teacher, school nurse, or any other school employee. 

The program is supported by donations and grants. Donations can be made to Fighting Hunger & Fueling Minds and dropped off at Washington High School.  

Photos of the Mo Options students helping with the Backpack Program at Loving Hearts are below.