Nonprofit organization provides food to thousands of students in Waukesha

WAUKESHA — With the new school year less than a week away, families in southeastern Wisconsin are stocking up on school supplies.

However, there is one thing that thousands of students in Waukesha County may be missing: food.

“Our mission is to feed children. There is a major food insecurity problem here in Waukesha County, and about 11,000 children need help,” said Susan Reed.

Susan Reed is the executive director of Blessings in a Backpack Waukesha Chapter.

Reed is the executive director of the Waukesha branch of Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit that delivers free food packages to students on weekends.

“Most of these students are eligible for free lunch, but we anticipate that if there is food insecurity during the week, there will be food insecurity on the weekend as well,” Reed explained.

Watch: ‘It’s a blessing’: Nonprofit feeds thousands of Waukesha students

“It’s a blessing”: Nonprofit organization provides food to thousands of students in Waukesha

The nonprofit currently serves 43 different schools and six school districts throughout Waukesha County. One of those schools is Banting Elementary School, which has been a partner for years.

“Many of our students take advantage of the offer. It’s an extra thing that they don’t have to think about. They have a snack or something to get them through the weekend,” said Mary Garcia-Velez, Banting’s principal.

Maria Garcia-Velez — Mary Garcia-Velez is the principal of Banting Elementary School. They partner with Blessings in a Backpack to provide meals to their students on the weekends.

Every Friday, volunteers deliver bags of snacks to schools, including items such as Cheese-Izts, Jack Links and trail mix.

During recess, teachers anonymously packed the bags into students’ backpacks so they could take them home for the weekend.

“Times were pretty tough for me as a single mom back then, so this was a great opportunity,” said Rachel Hartling, a mom.

Her son participated in the program while completing his high school education in the district.

“It was great to see that he had everything he wanted and it was a good feeling. The title is ‘Blessings in a Backpack,’ and it really is,” Hartling said.

Rachel Hartling's son Hunter — Rachel Hartling’s son Hunter

Reed said they hope to serve 3,400 students by the 2024-2025 school year.

“These children in these schools are ours too, and we have to take care of our children,” Reed said.

The food bags are packed by volunteers several times a year. Reed said they are always looking for people to lend a hand.

The organization is currently running a campaign called “Love in a Backpack” to raise awareness of the positive effects of food on children.

For more information or to get involved, you can visit their website.

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