The Food Basket’s “Keiki Backpack” program provides nutritional supplements to low-income elementary school-aged children at schools with a high number of free and reduced lunches.
Each year, The Food Basket provides nutritional relief to select schools island-wide, equating to hundreds of children, on a rotating basis. Keiki receive the bags ahead of long school breaks or weekends when their meals may be inconsistent or not present at all.
The program is funded by private money donations, food donated by the community, and United States Department of Agriculture nutritional supplements. Eligibility for the program is determined by statistical data collected by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education on free and reduced lunch participation. The program does not have open enrollment and schools are selected based on need.
