Snack Pak 4 Kids San Antonio’s mission is to provide weekend food to serve the needs of chronically hungry children, addressing the relationship between food insecurity and learning.
Snack Pak 4 Kids collaborates with numerous organizations, collectively serving over 60 public schools in Bexar County. Teachers play an important part in these roles. They identify students who may face chronic hunger over the weekends. With parental or guardian permission, Snack Paks are discreetly placed in each of those children’s backpacks every Friday; a moment of anticipation and joy for these children.
One of Snack Pak’s dedicated 2nd-grade teachers shared how a snack impacted her classroom. Her classroom had a “Student of the Week” tradition where a student is able to share a personal story and favorite snack with classmates. Mid-year, the chosen student came from a family facing food insecurity. Knowing this, the teacher, with genuine care, asked him about his favorite snack, offering to provide it for his classmates. The young man surprised her, replying, “No ma’am, I’ve got this!” On that day, the little boy arrived with a sight that warmed everyone’s hearts: 18 bags of Kellogg’s Froot Loops. The Snack Pak’s typically included two bags of Froot Loops each Friday. This selfless child had saved his Froot Loops for nine weeks, determined to share with his friends.
This story illustrates how the Snack Pak program goes beyond simply addressing
hunger; the consistent support of the program instilled a sense of security in the boy, allowing him to shift his focus from basic needs to the well-being of others. At Snack Pak 4 Kids, their ultimate goal is to empower students by addressing weekend hunger, allowing them to reach their full potential. This young man’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Snack Pak program.
Learn more about SP4KSA here.