What Are Winter Break Boxes?

 For Winter Break, enrolled families receive a box on their doorsteps with a host of fresh foods, including juice, milk, bread, frozen items, and fresh produce. To ensure every student enters Winter Break with excitement and joy, FOCP works with volunteers to deliver food to the doorstep of each enrolled student.

Can I Enroll?

Winter Break is unique in that all students in grades K-12 can enroll to receive a box. FOCP serves students in over 30 public, private, and parochial schools in six school districts (Mankato, St. Clair, Mapleton, Nicollet, Lake Crystal, and JWP). 

ENROLL

UNENROLL

"This is such an amazing program. My daughter is super-excited when she gets home and shows me what she has, and we talk about it and the food groups and nutrition and planning. Thanks to the wonderful blessings of the BackPack Food Program, the worries of trying to feed my daughter a healthy variety diet are eased. Thank you so very much!"

-real testimonial from a local parent

Rice Companies + FOCP Partnership!

Winter Break 2024 is presented in partnership with Rice Companies! FOCP will be able to provide much-needed nutrition to students in South Central Minnesota during the critical 12-day winter break. 

​“At Rice Companies, community and family are at the heart of what we do, and we believe no child should have to worry about their next meal—especially during the holidays,” said Joey Barr, General Manager - Mankato at Rice Companies. “We are honored to support FOCP’s efforts and to help make a tangible impact in our community.”

In addition to financial support, the Rice Companies team will volunteer their time to pack the food boxes during a few packing sessions at FOCP. The Rice team will also deliver the food boxes to the families in need across the Mankato area and surrounding communities.

Can I Volunteer? 

FOCP relies on the help of volunteers to pack and deliver these boxes. Check out our volunteer page to sign up for an open pack session or to take a route on December 12th when Winter Break Deliveries are occurring!

Learn About Delivery Day!

To ensure every student enters Winter Break with excitement and joy, FOCP works with volunteers to deliver food to the doorstep of each enrolled student. ​By delivering right to their doorsteps, we alleviate time and transportation concerns for enrolled families. These deliveries offer a rare opportunity to distribute additional food items to our participants.