School Year initiatives are currently suspended until school resumes. For a complete list of where kids can access free meals please visit our School Meals Availability page Here.
Childhood Hunger
School-Year Initiatives
Empowering kids with nutritional resources at school.
Children should have a hunger for knowledge, ensuring they have a full belly gives them that opportunity. The 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.
The Healthy KidsPack Program is a weekend supplemental food bag that provides reliable, healthy food access to elementary 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. Last year KidsPack distributed an average of 450 bags to children each week.
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. Last year KidsPantry provided food access to an average of 80 kids per week.
How to Participate:
KidsPantry
The KidsPantry is available to all students at participating schools regardless of their family’s income. To access the pantry at your school speak with a counselor about pantry hours and location.
- Sacajawea Middle School
- Chief Joseph Middle School
- Belgrade Middle School
- Belgrade High School
- Three Forks Schools
Healthy KidsPack
The KidsPack program is open to all students at participating elementary schools regardless of their family’s income. To sign your child up please contact the main office of your child’s school. See lists below for participating schools.
- Emily Dickinson
- Hawthorne
- Hyalite
- Irving
- LaMotte
- Longfellow
- Meadowlark
- Morning Star
- Whittier
- Youth Dynamics
- Cottonwood School
- Heck Quaw
- Saddle Peak
- Ridge View
- Monforton
- Gallatin Gateway
- Ophir Elementary
- West Yellowstone
- Manhattan Elementary
- Twin Bridges
- Basin
- Boulder
- Whitehall
Support KidsPack and KidsPantry
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
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
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
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. Sign up to Volunteer!
Testimonials:
KidsPack & KidsPantry would not be possible without the generous support from YOU and the following businesses and foundations.
