Gretna, Nebraska, has a growing issue with food insecurity among students. One in ten kids in the area struggle to get enough food, particularly over the weekends when school meals aren’t available. To tackle this problem, the Gretna Public Schools Foundation has launched a Backpack Program.
This new initiative packs backpacks with snacks and meals for students, ensuring they have enough to eat when school isn’t in session. Holly Radke, the executive director of the foundation, emphasized the program’s importance. “It impacts our students’ outcomes. Fewer kids are calling out sick on Monday, and that helps their learning,” she said.
Michael Sortino, the executive director of student services, further explained that hungry students find it hard to focus. “If we want them to learn and reach their potential, we need to meet their basic needs,” he said.
To support this program, it costs around $1,200 per family each year. The foundation has set up food donation drop-off sites at local businesses, including United Republic Bank and Stories Coffee. They are also expanding food assistance by starting a breakfast program and providing snacks during school hours.
Since the launch, 60 families have signed up to receive backpacks, with the first distribution happening this Friday. Such initiatives reflect a growing awareness and response to food insecurity in schools, echoing national trends. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 13.7 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2021.
In a recent survey, 78% of educators reported that hunger significantly impacts student performance. This sentiment resonates deeply in Gretna, as the community rallies around its students to ensure they are fed, supported, and ready to learn.
For more information about this impactful program or how to contribute, you can visit the Gretna Schools Foundation.
