Apache Junction student backpack program provides food relief for weekends

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

More than 250 children at three Apache Junction Unified School District schools are given special backpacks twice a month on Fridays filled with nutritious food for the weekend or before school breaks.

The student backpack food program started in 2023 with a financial gift to the Superstition Community Food Bank, Executive Director Erik Arriola said.

“Many children in our community rely on school meal programs for breakfast and lunch, but weekends can be a different story. Food insecurity doesn’t take a break, and for some families those two days can mean empty cupboards and hungry bellies. After thoughtful collaboration with the school district, we recognized a clear need — and the backpack program was born,” he said.

The program is partially paid for by the city of Apache Junction through its health and human services funding with the rest from donations.

“Operating this program costs just over $40,000 annually. Thanks to the city of Apache Junction, we’ve received a $20,000 grant — but we still need community support to fully fund this vital service,” Arriola said. “Together, we can ensure no child in Apache Junction goes hungry over the weekend.”

Funds can be donated to the backpack program at the food bank’s website https://superstitionfoodbank.org/ or at a November fundraiser. Proceeds from a 5:30-10 p.m. Nov. 5 casino night fundraiser hosted by the food bank and Superstition Mountain Rotary Club benefit the student backpack food program and other local youth initiatives. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, email smrotary36@gmail.com. Go to https://superstitionfoodbank.org/event/casino-night/.

Twice a month distribution

Distribution frequency depends on enrollment, but the food bank aims to provide backpacks at least twice a month — ideally every other Friday and before school breaks. The backpacks are filled with healthy, easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly meals to ensure children return to school on Monday nourished and ready to learn, Arriola said.

The backpacks typically include:

• Breakfast items like cereal, oatmeal or granola bars
•  Simple meals such as mac and cheese, PB&J, ramen, tuna or chicken salad kit or canned soups
• Water, dry milk or juice
• Fresh or canned fruits and vegetables
• Snacks to keep kids fueled and focused

The backpack food program was launched in 2024 at Four Peaks Elementary School, 1785 N. Idaho Road in Apache Junction, enrolling 67 students. By 2025 it expanded to include Desert Vista Elementary School, 3701 E Broadway Ave. in Apache Junction, and total enrollment surged to 248 students, Arriola said.

“This school year, we’ve expanded once again to include Peralta Trail Elementary School and enrollment as you can guess has increased to 257,” he said of the school at 10965 E. Peralta Road in Gold Canyon. “Children can enroll themselves or be signed up by a parent, guardian or school staff member.”

Each school invites eligible families to participate and assists them with a brief application process required by the grant, said Karen Warhus, AJUSD director of food services.

“The backpack program helps bridge the gap for families who rely on school meals during the week by providing extra food to support them over the weekend. We’re fortunate to partner with the Superstition Community Food Bank to make this resource available to our families,” she said.

“Because participation is based on the number of students the food bank can serve, the program isn’t broadly advertised, but rather coordinated directly through our schools to ensure it reaches those who need it most,” Warhus said.

“No child should have to worry about being hungry. This partnership helps ensure our students are nourished, supported and ready to learn. We’re incredibly thankful to the Superstition Community Food Bank for helping us care for kids beyond the classroom,” she said.

The program continues when school is out in the summer, Arriola said.

“Though most programs pause during summer, we’ve proudly partnered with Apache Junction Parks & Recreation and the Boys & Girls Club-Superstition Branch to continue supporting youth through their summer programs,” he said.

Superstition Community Food Bank, 575 N. Idaho Road Suite 701 in Apache Junction, offers assistance to individuals and families in northwest Pinal County and east Mesa. It has been in operation since 1983 and was previously known as Reach Out Food Bank. Go to https://superstitionfoodbank.org/.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines, https://www.yourvalley.net/civility-checklist/.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.