Weekend Backpacks

Through conversations with social workers at area schools, a need was identified to provide at-risk children with weekend nutritional meals. While the schools ensure children have a nutritional meal while at school during the week through subsidized lunches, we wanted to do the same for their weekend.

For the 2010 - 2011 school year, Antioch Lions Club and Abbott’s Bright Space Foundation are financing 80% of our Weekend Back Packs for 81 students in 3 local schools. Additional partnering with shoppers and packers from Antioch United Methodist, Northbridge and St Stephens make it possible to send home a back pack of weekend meals, breakfast, juice and snacks for the children.

Our pilot program began January 2008 by Open Arms Mission partnering with Northern IL Food Bank, Grass Lake School and Northbridge Church. For School Years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 we were fortunate to have Antioch Lions Club join the partnership and fund the program feeding 41 students weekly.

Here is How You Can Help

Your donations can help us meet the nutritional obligations we have committed to for the 100 children in our program. You can help by sponsoring a child for a month at a cost of $15.00 or $1,000.00 to cover 81 children for a month.

"As a community, let’s be there for our children."