ELMIRA (WENY) -- It's back to school season! The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is working to make sure students are well-fed even when school isn't in session.

"If a child is not well-fed, they're not going to be able to concentrate in school," says Jen Edgar, Director of Community Programs at the Food Bank. 

For that reason, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier will ensure nearly 2800 kids receive weekly healthy meals while school is not in session. The Food Bank's BackPack Program works to provide the nutrition students need over the weekend and on holiday breaks.

"A child may be rushing the food line [or] wanting seconds," says Edgar. "[There are] different cues. [Perhaps] the child is irritable on Monday morning, tired, feeling stressed. Those are opportunities for school staff to have a conversation with the child or the family and say 'we have this program, could this help your family? Could this be a benefit to you?'"

The program pairs with 46 school districts across the Southern Tier to help students at risk of hunger return on Monday well fed and ready to learn.
     
Every Friday, students are sent home with a bag filled with at least eight items --two proteins, two grains, two dairy products and two fruits or vegetables.

All of the items are not only healthy, but also kid-friendly. The hope is to provide children with food that, if necessary, they could also prepare on their own at home.

The Food Bank says the goal is to reduce the amount of children who depend on being at school to receive a substantial meal.

"Teachers report that the kids just have less stress. On Friday afternoons or just Monday morning, they're feeling really good," says Edgar. "They're nourished. So we know that helps learning take place."

The program is entirely run on grants and donations.
     
For more information on how you can help or to enroll a child, visit the Food Bank of the Southern Tier's website.