Sunshine Backpack Food Program

We believe no child should be hungry, and we send weekly bags of food home for MSAD 72 district children in need so they are not hungry during the weekend and vacation weeks. We are a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax-deductible.

For the 2023/2024 school year, our goal is to continue to send home as much food as possible, while combating rising food prices and costs. We also plan to add at least one container of shelf-stable organic milk to our weekly bags! As always, we plan to include small food-based treats and toys for the holidays, school supplies in our first bags, hygiene items, and large bags with several full-size food items for all of the school vacations.

Any donation is incredibly appreciated and helpful. $300 is enough to sponsor one child for the entire school year! Thank you for your help to be sure that no child is hungry!

We believe no child should be hungry, and we send weekly bags of food home for MSAD 72 district children in need so they are not hungry during the weekend and vacation weeks. We are a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax-deductible.

For the 2024/2025 school year, our goal is to continue to send home as much food as possible while combating rising food prices and costs. As always, we plan to include small food-based treats and toys for the holidays, school supplies in our first bags, hygiene items, and large bags with several full-size food items from Thriftway for all of the school vacations. Goals this year include sending home at least 2 age-appropriate books and working with local businesses such as Sherman Farms to include the occasional gift card or treat!

Any donation is incredibly appreciated and helpful. $300 is enough to sponsor one child for the entire school year, and $10 buys a whole bag for one child for a week! No donation is too small, we know you work hard for your money and we appreciate your support!

The Sunshine Backpack Food Program is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that helps provide weekend food to children in need in the MSAD 72 School District throughout the school year.

Maine ranks first in New England in childhood food insecurity with 20% of Maine kids facing empty shelves. Hungry children have trouble learning and are more prone to behavioral and emotional problems and can have long-lasting health problems. We want to help stop childhood hunger in our area, one bag at a time!

Through this program, children receive a bag of nutritious food on Friday for the weekend when school meals are unavailable. The bags contain breakfast, lunch and a snack (usually a few extra too!) for each weekend day, and are child-friendly, ready to eat, and shelf stable.

Larger bags of food are sent home for school vacations.

The program was started in 2013 at New Suncook Elementary School. Over the years we have expanded and now send home weekend food to students K-8th grade in all three district schools. Last year we sent home over 110 bags every week. Unfortunately due to rising food costs and economic uncertainty, we anticipate that we will have even more kids this year, as well as increased food costs for the program. So, we need your help!

This program is run by volunteers and funded solely by donations. $300 a year provides one child with 9 months of weekend food. Please consider sponsoring a child or making a donation in any amount. We truly appreciate the generosity of our community and the help to make sure that no child goes hungry!