RED NOSE DAY GRANT HELPS FIGHT HUNGER, SUPPORTS CHILDREN IN NEED IN EAST CHICAGO

October, 2016 (Gary, IN) – The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana announced that it has received a $10,990 grant from the Red Nose Day Fund, which will be used to support children at risk of hunger through its BackPack Program. This latest contribution from Red Nose Day will impact children in need in East Chicago.

Through the power of entertainment, Red Nose Day raises awareness and money to end child poverty, supporting programs that help to keep kids safe, healthy and educated. The grant for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is one of 200 provided this year by the Red Nose Day Fund to Feeding America® member food banks.

Thousands of kids and teens across Lake and Porter counties rely on free and reduced price meals during the school days—and for many of these young people, those are often the only meals they’re guaranteed to have. So when weekends and holiday breaks come along, many of these children can’t count on that daily nutrition to give them the energy they need.

The BackPack Program works to bridge that meal gap for students by ensuring they have access to enough good, nutritious food for the weekend. Before every weekend or holiday break during the school year, students will receive their backpack of weekend meals, including good, kid-friendly foods like single serve cereal packs and shelf stable milk, fruit cups, microwave pasta, healthy snacks, and other safe, easy-to-make options

“We know that the BackPack Program can’t reach all of the children in need in our community, which is why we’re always working with schools and communities to increase its impact and help more young people struggling with hunger,” said Steve Beekman, executive director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “We are grateful for the support we receive through Red Nose Day, which helps us provide food and support throughout the Region.”

Since launching in the US in 2015, over $4.5 million of Red Nose Day funds have been allocated to Feeding America to support child hunger initiatives. Funds go to all partner organizations in the national Feeding America network, which spans every county in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

According to the USDA, one in six children in the US is food insecure, meaning that 13 million children lack regular and easy access to safe, nutritionally adequate food. In Northwest Indiana one in five children is at risk for hunger. The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana distributes more than 4.2 million meals to individuals and families in need across Lake and Porter Counties.

To learn more about Feeding America and hunger in your community, please visit FeedingAmerica.org.