Helping to close the hunger gap for cook county students

Vital North Foundation has announced a significant expansion of Pack & Pantry, formerly known as the Backpack/Snacks & Packs Program, a school-based food support program designed to meet the nutritional needs of Cook County youth and their families.

Pack & Pantry targets the gaps when students struggle most with hunger—after school, weekends, and school breaks—working directly with local schools so students have full plates at home and come to school ready to learn. The program will deepen its impact with increased grocery vouchers, expanded summer support, and a mentorship curriculum centered on nutrition and real-world grocery shopping skills.

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge for families across Cook County. Pack & Pantry addresses that need directly, sending support home with students in active partnership with ISD 166 and Great Expectations School—eliminating barriers to access and removing the stigma that too often prevents families from asking for help.

“Now more than ever, families are struggling to put enough food on the table. Many Cook County parents might be surprised to know that their student qualifies for Pack & Pantry. If you’re wondering how to make ends meet right now, this program—which is simple and easy to access—is for you,” said Anna Cariad-Barrett, Vital North Foundation Executive Director.

Beginning Fall 2026, Pack & Pantry will provide enrolled families with a $20 weekly grocery voucher specifically designated for protein and fresh produce. This targeted investment ensures that children have access to the nutritious, high-quality foods that support health, development, and learning. Weekly vouchers and supplemental groceries are sent home discreetly with students, making participation simple and stigma-free.

Pack & Pantry recognizes that food insecurity lasts year round. When school is not in session, enrolled families receive grocery gift cards to bridge the gap, including $600 over the course of the summer and $150 each for Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks. The summer expansion represents a meaningful increase in support during the months when children lose access to school meals and family food budgets are stretched furthest.

Our Pack & Pantry program coordinator works directly with students through a nutrition and grocery shopping life skills curriculum, which offers mentorship, guided grocery store visits, and paid shopping trips that put learning into practice. Students learn how to read nutrition labels, compare prices, select fresh produce, and make healthy choices within a budget. These are skills that serve families well beyond the program itself, building lasting confidence and self-sufficiency in young people.

Registration is designed to be fast and simple, and the program’s scope is intentionally broad: families who might not think they are eligible may qualify. Interested participants should contact Vital North at pm@vitalnorth.org. Please Note: Registration for the summer program is open until June 1.

Pack & Pantry is sustained by local donors, whose support is essential during Cook County’s current cost of living crisis. Donations to the Pack & Pantry Program can be mailed by check to PO Box 454, Grand Marais MN 55604 or at https://vitalnorth.org/donate/