A new program is helping some Knoxville elementary students stem hunger over the weekend. Knoxville Hospital and Clinics is working with the schools on the Backpack Buddies program. Volunteers from Knoxville Hospital and Clinics met last week to pack food donated by the Food Bank of Iowa. That food will be sent home each weekend with around 30 children from families in the free and reduced lunch program. The hope is that more may be added as the year goes on.

School nurse Donna Flack says that around 45% of the children in the school district are enrolled on free or reduced lunches. Each child is receiving breakfast options, snacks, fruit, and canned food dinners like ravioli. Knoxville Hospital and Clinics spokeswoman Katrina Nelson says that if anyone is interested in learning more or helping the Food Bank of Iowa can contact her at 842-1418.