Childhood Nutrition

Childhood Nutrition School-Year Initiatives

Empowering kids with nutritional resources during the school year.
Children should have a hunger for knowledge, ensuring they have a full belly gives them that opportunity. Childhood nutrition programs provide students across the spectrum with food access both in and out of school. Our goal is to ensure that all kids have access to food and arrive at school fed and ready to learn each day.

Healthy KidsPack

The Healthy KidsPack Program is a weekly supplemental bag of groceries that provides healthy foods to children across Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson counties. Nutritionally balanced, kid-friendly foods are packed and distributed to local school children every Friday during the school year. The KidsPack program is open to all students at participating elementary schools regardless of their family’s income.

KidsPack signup is open for the 22/23 school year. This year we will be offering a varied menu and weekly produce distribution alternating between carrots and apples.

To sign up for KidsPack, please complete the below form and return it to your child’s school – front office, teacher, counselor.

KidsPack English sign up form HERE

KidsPack Español Formulario de registro AQUI

Participating Schools:

Bozeman Schools

Belgrade, Four Corners, and HWY 191

West of Bozeman: Madison County, Jefferson County

KidsPantry

The KidsPantry Program provides in-school and weekend food access to students in Middle and High School. Operating as a pantry, students have the privacy and autonomy to choose items that best suit their needs. Selected items can be taken home or consumed at school as needed. Healthy, kid-friendly foods are distributed each week to participating schools and facilitated through the school’s counselor’s office. To sign up or learn more, talk to your school counselor.

Participating Schools

Belgrade Middle School

Belgrade High School
Chief Joseph Middle School
Sacajawea Middle School
Manhattan
Three Forks Schools

Support KidsPack and KidsPantry

Help us end childhood hunger for $5 a week

Did you know 1 in 6 children in Montana struggle with hunger?

The Healthy KidsPacks program distributes more than 11,000 bags of food annually to children across the valley.

Providing a monthly donation of just $20 ensures that one child will have access to nutritional support for four weeks. Donate today

Interested in Supporting a School?

Schools are often spread thin in both time and funds. Sponsoring all or part of a schools cost of KidsPack or KidsPantry can make a huge impact.

To discuss sponsorship options or ideas please contact Lyra at kidspack@thehrdc.org or donate HERE

Volunteer with Childhood Nutrition Programs

Bag Packing

Every week close to 500 premade bags go out for KidsPack. Join the volunteer crew that assembles bags for distribution.

Bags are packed with shelf stable food supplies that supplement the entire families food budget and include enough for 3-4 meals depending on how the child or families decide to use the items.

This is a fun activity for kids, families, and co-workers that takes place 3-4 times a month on Tuesday evenings. Sign up to Volunteer

Delivery Driver

Every week close to 500 premade bags go out to local elementary schools for participating KidsPack recipients.

Join the volunteer crew that delivers bags and pantry supplies weekly or become a substitute driver. Delivering KidsPacks/KidsPantry does involve some physical aspects (lifting packed crates and utilizing a hand-truck). Please note there is a limit of two people per shift due to vehicle constraints.

Deliveries take place in our vehicles. For more information on Volunteering to deliver please email Lyra at kidspack@thehrdc.org

Testimonials:

"We have been down to basics multiple times regarding our dinner and lunch menus. With the kids pack we have saved so much stress and money as well knowing that we will have extras and even fun granola bars and juice for the weekend. Our kids feel as though they are contributing to our groceries when they bring home food that we are all excited about! Thank you so much for all of your care and hard work!!"

Parent of a Recipient

Heck Quaw Elementary

"As a low-income family that does not or barely qualifies for food stamps, it (KidsPack) really helps make sure we have something to eat and helps kids have full bellies"

Parent of a Recipient

Monforton School

“Thanks for your dedication. Our experience is students work more effectively if they are not hungry in the morning. Some students simply don't take the time to eat breakfast at home, but many more have no food at home.”