Weekend Backpack Food Program - Catpacks and PupPacks

Weekend Backpack Food Program - Catpacks and PupPacks The Catpack/PupPack helps students in Scottsbluff/Gering Community receive food for the weekends.

The Weekend Food Backpack Program was begun in the spring of 2009 when we became aware of schoolchildren who ate free lunches at school during the week, but went home to empty cupboards on the weekends. We started with 18 packs in Scottsbluff that year, and the following January added a pack program in Gering. By the time school was out in 2010 we were sending home nearly 100 packs a week in the t

wo districts. This spring, as we complete our second year, we are providing 180 packs per week for hungry children, and estimate that we will have filled over 7000 packs since the program’s inception. The backpack program is a collaborative effort of the Scottsbluff and Gering Schools and the Cooperative Ministry Council, a 501 (c)(3) charity, and all funds are raised and administered by the Council. 100 % of money donated to the program goes to buy food for the backpacks. Students are referred by counselors, teachers and office staff, and the only requirement we have is that the families qualify for the free lunch program. Packs contain an assortment of food, with an eye to providing as much nutritious food as we can with our available funds – approximately 15 items at a cost of about $5.00 per pack. Every week packs contain a piece of fresh fruit, an envelope of powdered milk that makes a quart, a canned meal, cereal, instant oatmeal, a box of juice, a cup of fruit, and a granola bar. In addition, we send packages of cheese crackers, a box of macaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, a small treat, and often soup with crackers. Once a month we include a small jar of peanut butter and other foods are added as budget and donations provide.

We are grateful to Riverstone Bank,Gering, and the Presbyterian Church for their ongoing support in providing storage fa...
05/05/2026

We are grateful to Riverstone Bank,Gering, and the Presbyterian Church for their ongoing support in providing storage facilities and accommodating our weekly meal packing efforts as we conclude the school year.

These kids show up weekly to do a lot of heavy lifting for CatPack kiddos!
05/01/2026

These kids show up weekly to do a lot of heavy lifting for CatPack kiddos!

This week’s Cat Pack Delivery Crew!

04/28/2026
We extend our sincere gratitude to the DHHS staff for their generous food donations during their Gifts of Love drive, wh...
04/15/2026

We extend our sincere gratitude to the DHHS staff for their generous food donations during their Gifts of Love drive, which has filled our pack room. Additionally, we appreciate the efforts of VAULTS students and teacher John Einfalt for their assistance in packing and stocking this remarkable donation.

Thank you for providing matching tubs for each school, thereby streamlining the pickup and delivery process. Your donati...
03/22/2026

Thank you for providing matching tubs for each school, thereby streamlining the pickup and delivery process. Your donation Janelle Kizzire is greatly appreciated.

Immediate help needed to run a tub twice a week between Riverstone Bank in Gering and Gering High School. Full tubs wou...
03/03/2026

Immediate help needed to run a tub twice a week between Riverstone Bank in Gering and Gering High School. Full tubs would be ready to transport to GHS on Wednesday afternoons or Thursday mornings. Empty tubs need to go back to the bank on Mondays. Full tubs do require lifting, but carts are available at both stops.

If you can help, please respond. Thank you!

Please let us know if you can help in Gering for Puppacks
01/28/2026

Please let us know if you can help in Gering for Puppacks

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01/14/2026

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🎒💙 We’re excited to share that Mr. Sanchez will be helping deliver CatPacks with students every week!

This incredible program makes a real difference for our kids and families, and we are so grateful to be able to lend a hand. Thank you to everyone who makes CatPacks possible—what an AMAZING way to support our community! 🙌✨

Love my ILC packing group! Got a business or group that wants to volunteer to pack message me!
01/07/2026

Love my ILC packing group! Got a business or group that wants to volunteer to pack message me!

01/06/2026

Looking for a rewarding volunteer service for the new year?
CatPacks is needing drivers to deliver bins to Bearcubs preschool and Westmoor. This is a heavy lifting weekly volunteer job and will need a truck or SUV big enough to fit the bins. Please message me if you can help!

01/05/2026

Catpacks also in need of a delivery driver to the preschool. Please let us know if you can help!

Address

P. O. Box 733
Scottsbluff, NE
69363

Telephone

+13086315533

Website

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