The Mountain Lion Backpack (MLBP) operates under Center for Community Action, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and is part of the Feeding America Backpack Program Network.  MLBP supplies food support to an average of 1,100 Altoona Area School District elementary school students with food for the weekends, bridging the gap when other food sources may not be accessible.

 

Food is the most important school supply.  The mission of MLBP mission is simple yet powerful: to provide nutritious food support to children in need, ensuring they have the nourishment and support they need to thrive.  For many students, meals at school may be the only sustenance they receive. Without the support of the Mountain Lion Backpack Program, students return to school on Monday morning sick, tired, dizzy, and unable to focus because of hunger. For these students, there is no way to be prepared to learn. The Mountain Lion Backpack Program (MLBP) is not just a feeding program, it is an essential educational program as well. Through the fulfillment of our program, surveys of both teachers and parents indicate positive changes in school attendance, behavior, and focus from children participating in the program.  ​

           

To address food insecurity and child hunger, MLBP provides students with food at the end of the school week for 35 weeks of the school year.  Our weekend food support includes child-friendly food items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.  Items may include individually wrapped cereal, granola bars, raisins, instant noodles, fruit cups, oatmeal, tuna, soup, peanut butter, etc.

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The mission of the Mountain Lion Backpack (MLBP) Program is to provide elementary children in the Altoona Area School District with food for the weekends when other food resources may not be available to them. Our vision is to:

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• Provide Altoona Area School District elementary school students with food to nourish their bodies, prepare their minds, and encourage their spirits while supporting teachers of our school district to ensure that students will be more physically prepared to attend school regularly, focus more intently on their lessons, and demonstrate healthy attitudes.

• Encourage families who are struggling with food insecurity, to both lift a burden, and show that their community cares.

• Bring our community together in this effort to touch and changes lives, while serving families not only with food, but also with love and compassion.

 

Our mission and vision will be carried out with sincerity and determination and with great respect for those we serve.