The Hallsville ISD Nutritional Backpacks for Kids Project is dedicated to ensuring that children who rely on the school cafeteria as their primary source of food have access to nutritious meals and snacks over the weekends and holidays. Each participating child receives a backpack filled with easy-to-prepare, nutritious food every Friday afternoon. The annual cost to provide a child with these essential meals is approximately $200, which is a small price to pay for the tremendous benefits to the child’s nutritional, mental, and physical well-being. The positive impact on the child's self-worth and overall well-being is enormous.

Programs like this have shown astonishing success across the country. Documentation and feedback from Hallsville ISD's administrative staff, faculty, parents, and the children themselves clearly demonstrate marked improvements in areas such as behavior, academic performance, social interactions, well-being, and attention span. Through this project, we aim to reach children throughout the community, establishing an effective outreach program to enrich the lives of those in need.

How the Program Works

Students who participate in the program are identified by campus counselors and teachers, who are provided with information to help them recognize children who are "chronically hungry." Once a child is identified, counselors contact the family to explain the program and gain permission for participation. Efforts are made to ensure that other children living in the same household are also included in the program. The names of all participants are kept confidential, and counselors meet privately with the students to explain how the program works, including where and when to pick up their food bags each Friday.

The bags, which are inserted into the children’s backpacks, are distributed weekly—typically on Friday afternoons—and include extra food on weekends that coincide with holidays or extended breaks.

How You Can Help

A donation of just $200 per year ensures that one child has food every weekend and holiday throughout the school year. Your contribution can make a tremendous difference in the life of a Hallsville ISD student. Hallsville ISD employees can also opt for payroll deduction, allowing them to make a monthly contribution directly from their paycheck.

The success of this project depends on the generous contributions from the Hallsville ISD community. This program is entirely self-sufficient and community-supported, thanks to the kindness and generosity of local residents. We are truly fortunate to live in such a loving and supportive community here in Hallsville, Texas, and the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your continued support of the Hallsville ISD Backpack Program!