• Imagination Library
 
• Smiles Across Minnesota- Iron Range
 
• Buddy Backpacks
 
• Diaper Drive
 
• Gifts in Kind
 
• Earned Income Tax Credit
 
• Familywize Drug Discount
 
• United Way 2-1-1

Buddy Backpack Program

Upon discovering that our St. Louis County area has a higher than average rate of individuals that go hungry (17%) than the state average (12%) our organization decided to join the Hunger Free Minnesota Campaign to close the missing meals gap and reduce hunger here locally in our area.

As poverty levels continue to rise throughout the Iron Range, teachers and school nurses have shared many stories of children returning to school on Monday after a weekend without enough to eat. Many of these children complain of stomach cramps, headaches and dizziness. Some have decreased attention span or lack enthusiasm to learn. During the week, these children rely on the free and reduced lunch program to get them by. Often times at night children miss dinner, however the most noticeable is when children return to school on Monday morning.

After a successful pilot "Buddy Backpack" project that was implemented in the Mesabi East School District during the 2010 school year the program has expanded to all area schools across the Iron Range. Children enrolled in the program receive a backpack full of nutritious, child friendly and non-perishable food each Friday or holiday break before they head home from school. We expect to serve over 450 children area wide with this program during the 2011-2012 school year.

For more information on the program or to make a donation towards the "Buddy Backpack" Program please contact our office at 218-254-3329.