Blessings in a Backpack

No child should have to go to school hungry, but it happens every day all across Canada. We run a unique program that feeds elementary school children who may not have any or enough food on the weekends. It takes only $100 to feed a child for an entire school year, which can make all the difference in a child’s ability to succeed in school.

Learn more Donate

Blessings in a Backpack Canada on Global TV

Blessings in a Backpack Canada was featured on Global News Hour Toronto’s “Making a Difference” on June 20th 2011.

How it started

Blessings in a Backpack was founded in the United States in 2005 because underprivileged children who are fed through government programs at school during the week, have little food to eat at home on the weekends. The program came to Canada in 2008. Canada is one of the only developed countries in the world without a national meal program for children in schools. We are currently in more than 40 schools in Canada and we hope to expand to all regions in need.

Take Action

There is no shortage of actions you can take to help children across Canada, from donating money to holding backpack drives.

Find us online

Who are we?

Blessings in a Backpack is non-profit organization currently feeding children internationally, and is working to expand across Canada. We are feeding the future of Canada, one school at a time. Join our battle against hunger to improve educational success!

What people are saying

Keeping kids in school, one stomach at a time.

National Post

This is a life-changing program. For some of the students, this is the first time they’ve ever had a real backpack before, let alone one filled with food so desperately needed.

Mena Paternostro, Coordinator, Student Nutrition Program, TDSB

I like taking the backpack home because sometimes when we don’t have money for food, the backpack really helps. We keep some of the food for our school lunches on Monday. We like bringing the backpack home because we know we will have more food for the weekend.

Violet, Grade 5 Student