End childhood hunger, one backpack at a time.

We help kids get enough food on weekends and holidays to avoid hunger when they can’t depend on school meals.

The Ruidoso Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, established in 2010, provides weekend and holiday food packages to Lincoln County, New Mexico, elementary school students who are at risk of hunger over the weekend when free school meals are unavailable.

Every Friday afternoon students on the program are discretely given a bag of food which is tucked into their backpacks. Each bag contains enough food to see the students through the weekend.

Learn more:

Featured

How We're Responding to Coronavirus

Learn how our COVID-19 Weekend BackPack Program continues during the pandemic and how you can help.

Is My Child Eligible?

There is no qualification process or cost to enroll. Get answers to all your enrollment and eligibility questions here.

What’s Included In A BackPack Meal?

Find a list of the food items included in our backpack meal program.

Are Meals Available During The Summer Months?

Yes. Our Summer Food Service Program for children provides nutritious meals to children during the summer months when school is not in session.

How Do I Register A Child?

Enrollment is easy! Get started today. Use our online enrollment form or contact us directly to register a child.

Do You Need Volunteers?

Yes, please! Discover the many ways you can help us to keep the children in our communities fed.

How Are Donations Used?

We take accountability seriously and are transparent in our practices so you can see how your gifts are being used to help end child hunger in Lincoln County communities.

What is food insecurity?

In New Mexico, 1 in 6 individuals (15.5%) and 1 in 4 children (24%) live in homes without consistent access to adequate food for everyone to live healthy, active lives.