Washington County Public Schools Backpack Program 2013 End of School Year Report NORMAL Inc. Power Pack Program delivers 215 of 533 Backpacks provided.

The Micah's Backpack program follows a model established in Blacksburg, VA. The
program is designed to feed hungry students through a partnership between each elementary
school and one or more churches/organizations in its community. Brought to Washington
County by Trinity Lutheran Church in 2009, the program now serves over 533 students in 28
elementary schools and involves partnerships with 30 churches and community organizations.

Over 10,000 students in Washington County Public Schools receive free or reduced lunch
and for many this lunch will be the last hot meal of the day. Children are especially hungry over
the weekend when school is not in session. Micah's Backpack program addresses children's
hunger issues by partnering with local schools to provide direct assistance to students and
families who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. Each week during the school year,
the identified students receive a backpack filled with enough food for the weekend. The
Backpacks include two dinners, two lunches, and two breakfasts. Volunteers pack the backpack
and the partner schools distribute the backpacks to students.

During the 2013 school year, the Micah's Backpack program experienced a 40% increase
in the number of weekly backpacks provided. At the beginning of April 2012, 318 backpacks
were provided compared to 533 backpacks provided at the beginning of April2013-an increase
of215 backpacks.

End of Year Program Survey Report
A total of two hundred seventy-five (275) surveys were received and compiled for the
end-of-year report (62 parents; 69 coordinators/teachers; 144 students). According to the
survey's the program was tremendously successful and exceeded the mission and goals
established for the school year 2013.

Student survey responses included the following:·

• 69% reported being less hungry
• 90% reported sharing the backpack with the family
• 34% reported times when the family has no food
• 78% reported paying better attention in school
• 42% reported that their family needs more food .
• 89% reported doing better in school because they are not hungry

When asked to indicate what students liked most about the program; responses included: free
food, everything, Rice Krispy treats, snacks, cereal, tuna, ramen noodles, it helps my mom pay
other bills, and it has a variety of items to choose from.

When asked to indicate if there was anything students didn't like; responses included:
vegetables, soup, milk, orange juice, raisins, not enough brownies, peach fruit cups are sour,
juice cups don't travel well and it's wonderful.

Parent survey responses included the following:

• 75% reported that their child does better in school since receiving the food
• 82% reported the backpack portion size was ''just right"
• 52% reported that they have other children who could benefit from having more food
• 4 7% reported their child being sick less since getting the extra food
• 73% reported being more engaged with the child's school since receiving the backpack
• 76% reported the backpack food allows them to be able to pay other bills

When asked to indicate additional services children could benefit from: 43% reported free books;
22% reported reading tutors; 18% reported tutors.

School Coordinators/teacher responses included the following:

• 56% reported noticeable changes in the behavior of students in the classroom
• 66% reported students where more engaged in learning
• 87% reported that the program facilitated a positive relationship between the student and
coordinator/teacher
• 53% reported student grade improvement
• 53% reported student complained of fewer health problems since receiving the food
• 83% reported backpack portion size "just right"

When asked to indicate additional services that students could benefit from: 23% of teachers
reported mentors; 13% reported free books; 7% reported after school programs.