Bozeman Schools Foundation and HRDC Partner to Fight Student Hunger in Gallatin Valley: 6th Annual Pack the Sack in School Campaign Kicks Off

BOZEMAN – The Bozeman Schools Foundation is launching its 6th annual "Pack the Sack" campaign on February 1, 2025, to raise funds for HRDC’s Healthy KidsPack Program. This annual initiative continues to bring awareness to food insecurity in Gallatin Valley while empowering students to make a real impact in their community.

From February 1st through February 14th, the Foundation will provide elementary students and their families with information on student hunger and encourage monetary donations. Every dollar raised through the in-school Pack the Sack effort goes directly to HRDC to fund the nutritious, high-calorie weekend meals and snacks for children in need provided in weekend KidsPacks.

“We see firsthand how many students rely on school meals throughout the week - and we know that the KidsPack Program plays a crucial role in ensuring many of our kids have access to essential nutrition over the weekend,” said Casey Bertram, BSD7 Schools Superintendent. “We are honored to continue our partnership with HRDC to support our students and families - as well as those at schools throughout the county.”

The demand for KidsPacks has continued to climb. Last semester alone, HRDC delivered 7,763 KidsPacks to schools across Southwest Montana.

“The increase in demand for KidsPacks over the last two years highlights just how many families are struggling to put food on the table,” said Jill Holder, HRDC’s Food and Nutrition Department Director. “The Pack the Sack campaign provides critical funding each year and goes a long way to helping HRDC meet the needs of local children facing food insecurity.”

Rising costs have also made this fundraising effort even more vital. The single KidsPack cost was $5.00 just three years ago, but today it takes nearly $8.00 to provide three meals and a healthy snack for one child each weekend. Last year, the Bozeman Schools Foundation raised over $28,000, covering nearly 30% of the KidsPack budget for 2024 - much of it coming from Bozeman students and families.

“Beyond raising funds, Pack the Sack is about fostering a spirit of generosity and community among our students,” said Jenn Lammers, Executive Director of the Bozeman Schools Foundation. “This campaign helps students see that even small acts of kindness can make a big impact for kids just like them.”

With demand for weekend KidsPacks growing and the cost of easy to prepare, nutritional items in each pack rising, the Bozeman Schools Foundation is looking to grow community support for the annual Pack the Sack campaign. If you or your business would like to join BSD7 students in Packing the Sack for children in Gallatin County, donations can be made online at https://bozemanschoolsfoundation.org/campaigns/pack-the-sack/.

Together, we can work to ensure that no child in our community goes hungry. Checks can also be mailed to Pack the Sack, c/o Bozeman Schools Foundation, PO Box 1803, Bozeman, MT 59771.