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 7 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
Dwight Elementary School
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Parkville Community School
Wish Elementary School
María C. Colón Sánchez Elementary
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.
For more information regarding donating enhancement items, please contact Kelly Dougherty 860-706-1520 or kdougherty@handsonhartford.org.
