Full Plate Club

Monthly Backpack Program

The Weekend Backpack Program provides students identified by school staff as experiencing food insecurity with a discreet backpack of food items monthly. These items are intended to supplement meals over weekends and extended school breaks.

Sponsor a Bag (opens in a new tab) Become a Volunteer (opens in a new tab)

Program Impact

  • 800–900students served monthly
  • 11schools
  • 74–100volunteer hours each month

How It Works

Through a monthly food distribution led by volunteer groups and organizations such as the Lancaster Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, local food pantries, and youth groups, volunteers pack and deliver monthly bags to be distributed to our students in need.

In partnership through the schools, registration forms are distributed at the beginning of the school year to help:

  • Identify students with the greatest need
  • Distribute food in a confidential and respectful manner
  • Maintain consistent and reliable support throughout the school year
  • Connect students and families to local community resources and programs.
Three volunteers smiling while packing yellow Full Plate Club bags at stainless steel tables in a school kitchen

Program Goals

  • Reduce weekend Food Insecurity
  • Improve student readiness to learn
  • Build Relationships and engage with community partners and volunteer groups
Community Need

Community Need

According to the 2024 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report, 24% of Fairfield County households—approximately 14,362 households—earn above the federal poverty line but still struggle to afford basic necessities.

  • Four Rotary Club of Lancaster volunteers with carts and tables of packed orange, black and yellow bags
  • Three Lancaster Vineyard Food Pantry and Outreach volunteers in a delivery truck with carts of bagged food
  • Lancaster Vineyard Food Pantry volunteers unpacking cases of canned food in a school kitchen

Monthly Backpack Sponsors

Unified Bank (opens in a new tab)
September 2026 Sponsor

Thank you, Unified Bank!

Thank you to Unified Bank for sponsoring our September 2026 Full Plate Club bags and helping provide weekend meals for students across Fairfield County.

Get Involved

  • Sponsor a Bag

    Sponsor a month of Full Plate Club bags and be recognized as a Monthly Backpack Sponsor.

    Sponsor a Bag (opens in a new tab)

  • Become a Volunteer

    Join the groups who pack and deliver bags each month.

    Become a Volunteer (opens in a new tab)

  • Donate Food

    Needed donated items:

    • Peanut butter
    • Granola/cereal bars
    • Ramen
    • Canned ravioli/pasta
    • Canned vegetables & fruits
    • Cereals
    • Fruit snacks

    Online food donation wishlist coming soon.