Feeding Kids on the Weekend...

NWPM has other successful food gathering and distribution programs, but we are always looking into new ways to get needed food out to our community. So when we learned about the successful use of a weekend backpack program in Tillamook County, we decided to replicate that model locally at the Chapman Grade School where 25% of kids there receive free or reduced lunch during the school week.

That percentage is high due to the number of children from Portland's downtown homeless shelters that attend the school. While the school provides after school care, snacks and tutoring for these kids during the week, NWPM's Food for Kids Backpack Program provides the additional safety net to ensure these kids don't go hungry over the weekend.

Here's How it Works...

We currently operate an Emergency Food Box program that provides emergency food for working families in NW Portland. The food is inventoried at our warehouse and boxes are distributed via our pantry. The food for the Food for Kids Backpack program is supplied from this inventory - or we purchase it at a reduced rate from the Orgeon Food Bank.

NWPM volunteers come to the warehouse each week, pack the backpacks with food and deliver them to Chapman Grade School in time for the kids to bring them home for the weekend. Additionally, the school Principal notifies us of other children in need of a food backpack - even if these kids are not living in shelters. The kids return the backpacks on Mondays and a volunteer collects and returns them to the warehouse to start the cycle again!

Not just "snack packs"...

... we're talking Backpacks packed with nutritious food in small containers, such as:

• Nuts

• Pudding Cups

• Jelly/jam

• Cup of noodles

• Fruit cups

• SpaghettiOs

• Fruit snacks (low/no sugar)

• Boxes of 100% fruit juice

• Protein/granola bars

• Tuna fish, canned

• Chicken, canned

• Pop Tarts (unfrosted)

• Crackers

• Dried fruit, raisins

• Shelf-stable milk or soy milk

• Cereal, non-sugar

• Cans of soup, stew, and chili

• Snack Packs' cheese & crackers

• Trail mix

About NWPM
Designated an official non-profit in 1986, Northwest Portland Ministries is an interfaith organization which, in cooperation with area organizations, strives to meet the needs of our Northwest Portland neighbors.
The major programs we operate are:
• Emergency Food Box: Emergency food supply for 5 days geared towards working families living in NW Portland. We expanded it to include the Food for Kids Backpack program, and delivery of food to low income high-rises at the end of each month, which will supplement food for those that run out.
• Transportation: Call-in rides for elders and adults living with disabilities to get to their appointments whether medical, recreational, shopping, personal business, school or work.
• Nutrition Services: Volunteers are recruited to staff the Loaves and Fishes site at First Immanuel Lutheran Church and our Interfaith Christmas dinner for the community hosted at Congregation Beth Israel.
• Friendly Visitor/Helping Hand: One-on-one volunteer support and service which could include light housekeeping, packing help, filing and paperwork help, or just a social visit.
Volunteer or Donate!