CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — For thousands of students in Champaign County, school meals are often the most reliable food they receive. But when the weekend arrives, many children face uncertainty about their next meal. Enter Feeding Our Kids, a local nonprofit dedicated to bridging that gap.
Founded in 2013 by two mothers who noticed food insecurity in their children’s classrooms, the organization now serves nearly 1,400 students across 48 schools and community programs. Each week, volunteers pack and deliver “weekend food packs” containing breakfast, lunch, and snacks, all designed to be nutritious and kid-friendly.
To hear the entire episode, click here: Stream episode Focus – Feeding Our Kids Champaign County by Illini Media Group podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Alison Dupre, Executive Director of Feeding Our Kids, oversees the operation, coordinating volunteers, logistics, and food supplies. She emphasizes the importance of the program: “If we can make sure that families and kids know they can rely on us, that’s a weight off their shoulders—and it lets them focus on school, on growing, on just being kids.”
The program relies heavily on community support. Donations allow the nonprofit to provide meals efficiently, with each bag costing under $5 to assemble. Individuals can sponsor a child’s food packs for a full year for $150.
For those interested in volunteering, children as young as five can help pack bags, making it a family-friendly opportunity to contribute. More information on volunteering or donating is available at feedingourkids.org.
