The Mississippi Food Network  has been awarded a  grant by the Build-A-Bear Workshop Hugs Foundation to help relieve child hunger in Mississippi through the Backpack Program.

Mississippi Food Network’s Backpack Program is designed to meet the food needs of children on weekends and holidays when other resources such as school breakfasts and lunches are not available. The backpacks are discreetly distributed to 460 children at nine sites in four counties on the last day of the week or holiday vacation.

“Childhood hunger is a major issue impacting growth and development. Studies show a strong link between nutrition and learning,” said Cassandra Guess, Programs Director at Mississippi Food Network. “Mississippi has the highest rate of child poverty.” (Jan. 2010 report: “The Effects of the Recession on Child Poverty by Julia B. Issacs”).

Mississippi Food Network also operates Kids Cafe to provide nutritious snacks to 460 children at 12 sites in after school programs.

Mississippi Food Network accumulates, stores and distributes food and household items to charities and local agencies who serve needy people. The Network, headquartered in Jackson, serves over 350 member agencies that are either churches or 501c3 nonprofit agencies. Approximately 120,000 people are served each month with food distributed by Mississippi Food Network. Last year, MFN delivered more than 20 million pounds of food items to Emergency Food Pantries, Day Care Centers, Emergency Shelters, Group Homes, Soup Kitchens, Teen Centers, Alcohol and Drug Rehabs, Afterschool Programs, Homeless Shelters and Senior Citizen Programs.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families and pets, who are in need of a helping paw.  With the sale of each Champ – A Champion Fur Kids — a special furry friend available in all BuildABear Workshop® stores, one dollar is donated to children’s health and wellness causes.