Cambridge, MA (September 26, 2018) – Food For Free, a Cambridge-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Greater Boston community with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food, today announced the expansion of its successful Weekend Backpack Program into Somerville public schools. Founded in cooperation with parent volunteers and school administrators, the program provides students with the nutrition needed to sustain them while school is not in session.

Beginning Friday, September 28 and continuing through the remainder of the school year, Food For Free will provide Somerville students at risk of hunger with healthy, kid-friendly meals to take home every weekend. Students will receive four meals worth of food for every child in their household, as well as fresh fruit and snacks. The food is discreetly packed in the students’ backpacks each Friday afternoon ensuring they are better prepared to learn the following week.

“Our weekend back program currently serves more than 500 students at 17 Cambridge elementary and upper schools, and we are excited to expand our efforts to reach families in need in Somerville,” said Sasha Purpura, Executive Director, Food For Free. “By meeting students and their families where they are already going to be, we eliminate many of the barriers that can prevent families from participating in other food programs, such as lack of time or embarrassment.”

Through four decades of operation, Food For Free identified schools as a community’s ideal entry point to confront hunger for students and their families. As a result, the organization developed unique school-specific programming, such as its backpack programs and school markets.

“We are grateful to the individuals who have administered the Somerville Backpack Program in the past, and we are committed to continuing and expanding upon their efforts here at Food For Free,” said Fiona Crimmins, Program Director, Food For Free. “By partnering with the school system and the dedicated school liaisons, we will work to ensure no student in Somerville goes home hungry.”

If you would like to volunteer to assist in the Weekend Backpack Program, please visit us at http://www.foodforfree.org/volunteer.

You can also support the Weekend Backpack Program by making a donation HERE.

ABOUT FOOD FOR FREE
Food For Free is a Cambridge-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Greater Boston community with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food. Food For Free accomplishes its mission through food rescue, partnerships with schools, colleges and traditional food organizations, and our own direct service programs. In 2017, Food For Free distributed more than two million pounds of nutritious food to more than 30,000 people throughout Greater Boston. To learn more, please visit us at http://www.foodforfree.org/, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.