Bowls for BrainPower  |  Thursday, April 13 @ 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Diamondhead Education Center, Upper Level
200 W. Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337

*All proceeds go to BrainPower in a BackPack, ISD 191’s hunger relief project that sends food home with 600 children every week.

*Foundation 191 is proud to have awarded grants to this exceptional effort throughout the years.

What Is BrainPower in a BackPack?

BrainPower in a BackPack is a volunteer project of ISD 191 Community Education and Burnsville High School.  The high school students pack weekend food for elementary school students in ISD 191 whose families struggle to put enough food on the table. Because academic performance is related to nutrition, our goal is to improve the student learning experience for children with the greatest need in ISD 191.

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How Does BrainPower in a BackPack Work?

During 2016-17, nearly 600 students are sent home with a bag of food each Friday – enough for at least four meals and two snacks. The students attend all ten elementary schools and Early Childhood Special Education.  Bowls also provide items for a food shelf available to Burnsville High School students through the family support worker.  Children are selected for BrainPower in a BackPack by school administrators and staff. As this program grows, we they be able to help more children. Bowls has reached its goal to feed the hungriest 20% of children at each elementary school (nearly 600 children this school year), and are working to provide food for the preschool programs and middle schools.

The food that is given is primarily kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare and nutritious, without requiring refrigeration. BrainPower staff purchase food and collects food donations; high school volunteers fill the backpacks after school on Thursdays (2:45-4:00 pm) throughout the school year. Notes are included with the food to add a personal touch as well as to highlight various sponsors. Students are involved in food drives and various aspects of fund raising.

Each child receives about 10 food items each week, for which it costs about $4. Examples include: fresh fruit, juice, cereal, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, soup, pasta and rice meals, veggies, fruit cups, applesauce, crackers and granola bars. BrainPower in a BackPack is free to students in the program.