Fighting Hunger, Fueling Futures

Many kids in Hartford receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the week at school, but struggle to find enough food to eat on the weekends. Through our Backpack Nutrition Program, backpacks containing meals, fresh fruit, drinks and snacks are distributed to children each Friday during the school year. Enhancements, such as nutrition resource information, warm weather items, and school supplies are included bi-weekly.

We currently serve over 230 children at 8 local schools in the city.

78.5% of Hartford students are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals at school, which is significantly higher than the 44% the statewide average. (according to to the Connecticut Department of Education’s district profile and performance report for school year 2023-2024)

Participating Schools

Parents/guardians must contact their child's school directly to enroll in the Backpack Nutrition Program.

Burns Latino Studies Academy

Breakthrough Magnet School
North Campus

Covenant Preparatory School

Dwight Elementary School

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Parkville Community School

Trinity Academy

Wish Elementary School

Donations Welcome!

We are always looking for generous donations and in-kind gifts to support the backpacks we provide to children each week.
For more information regarding donating enhancement items, please contact Kelly Dougherty 860-706-1520 or kdougherty@handsonhartford.org.

Our most needed food items for our Backpack Nutrition Program are: (*All food items for the Backpack Nutrition Program must be nut-free)

  • 100% Juice Boxes
  • Mac & Cheese (boxes or cups)
  • Canned Chicken Noodle Soup (with pull lid)
  • Individual boxes of cereal (low or no sugar)
  • Oatmeal Packets
  • Granola Bars
  • Individual bags of Goldfish, Pretzels, and Teddy Bear Graham Crackers

Enhancements: Bi-weekly, we include special items to help brighten the weekends of the kids we serve. Previous enhancements have included:

  • School supplies
  • Herb starter plants
  • Sun safety items
  • Dental hygiene kits
  • Hats and gloves
  • Fun activities and games
  • Small toys