For many Arizona students, school meals are the only consistent food they receive during the week. But what happens when Friday arrives and the cafeteria closes?
Midwest Food Bank’s Hope Packs ensure that children receive weekend meals during the school year. Each pack includes a warm entrée, such as mac and cheese or ravioli, a breakfast item, fruit, a granola bar, and a snack.Â
In Arizona, thousands of students rely on free or reduced-price meals at school. When the weekend begins, many families face difficult choices. Hope Packs bridge that gap, turning uncertainty into security. These child-friendly, shelf-stable foods give children the nourishment they need to return on Monday, ready to learn.
At the start of the school year, our Arizona division hosted its annual Hope Pack assembly. Volunteers filled nearly 20,000 bags with care, praying over each child who would receive them. These will be distributed to over 650 children across the state.
This year, State Farm employees not only provided grant support but also joined the packing event, experiencing firsthand the joy of serving children in need. Their involvement demonstrates the significant impact that local organizations and businesses can have when they invest both resources and time in the community.
According to Feeding America, 1 in 7 Arizona children experiences food insecurity. The need doesn’t pause for weekends, holidays, or school breaks. Programs like Hope Packs target a critical gap by focusing specifically on those non-school days when hunger often goes unseen.
You can be part of this calling. Help us deliver weekend meals by donating here.
