Charities Fill Backpacks With Food

America’s Second Harvest, a network of national food banks, says at least 70 food banks across the country are starting to distribute backpacks filled with “kid friendly” food to children whose families cannot afford to pay essential bills and buy enough food, The Wall Street Journal reports.

A recent survey by the organization indicates that people relying on food pantries and emergency kitchens include many working families, and only 12 percent are homeless. About 93 percent of the people served are American citizens, almost half live in rural or suburban areas, 40 percent are white, and more then one-third of the families have at least one working adult.

America’s Second Harvest now says such backpack programs are expected to multiply next school year as the organization rolls out a backpack program throughout its nationwide network. (A paid subscription is required to view this article.)