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Bright and early after a night of packing meals, 31 Backpacks sent spring break meals out to schools throughout the copper country. Each week and especially during longer breaks from school, the food distribution non-profit sends meals home with students facing food insecurity. By the end of 2023, 31 backpacks have identified around 450 students in the region in need of assistance. While nationally child food insecurity has been trending downward over the past decade, 31 Backpack’s vice president Melissa Maki, says that the organization continues to identify new students who qualify for assistance filling a critical need in the community.
“We’re kind of new-ish in Baraga County. We’ve been there for only two years. And that’s where we are seeing our numbers go up. And we’re kind of happy, kind of sad that the numbers are going up. But that at least means they are being identified. There are backpack programs throughout the country. I think we’re one of the few, if not only, that do the spring break and winter break packs.” – Melissa Maki, Vice President, 31 Backpacks
This week students can begin picking up one of the close to 1,000 bags of meals that were distributed to schools. In total 31 backpacks estimate that the 6,000 meals sent out with students for spring break cost around 30,000 dollars.
“Typically during the big packs for winter break and spring break, we send home things that are more family-oriented. So they can share because everyone is going to be at home during that time. So it’s not individual meals like during our weekly packs. These are larger quantities.” – Melissa Maki, Vice President, 31 Backpacks
31 Backpacks serves the majority of schools throughout Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw counties. The organization also keeps a pantry at the Horizons Alternative School in Mohawk and Washington Middle School in Calumet. Those interested in learning more about 31 backpacks or want to find out how to get involved can find more details here.
