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Backpack Program

The Backpack Program which began last year as a pilot program in the Rock Island School district has expanded this year to include more than 400 children in four school districts. Every Friday during the entire school year children participating the in the Backpack Program receive free, nutritious food which they can take home in their backpacks and easily prepare at home. The Back Pack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources such as school lunches or breakfasts are not available. The food is nutritious, child friendly, shelf stable and easily consumed. Participating schools include Primary Academy, Earl Hanson, Frances Willard in Rock Island; Wells School in East Moline; George O’Barr in Silvis and Ericcson in Moline. The Backpack Program is made possible in part by a grant from the John Deere Foundation.