ISD 191 STUDENTS -- BrainPower SignUp 2024-25

BrainPower in a BackPack is a Volunteer Hunger Relief Project through ISD 191, 191 Community Education, Burnsville High School Youth Services and Burnsville High School benefitting all students, staff and families in District 191.  Our high school students and community volunteers assemble hungry relief packages via three programs:

1.  BrainPower in a BackPack -- our original weekend hunger relief program available for all District 191 students in preschool, elementary, middle school and high school providing weekend food packages 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.

2. 191 Community Pantry -- our family, grocery bag style food distribution available to all community members on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at Diamondhead Education Center.  Each grocery bag has 10-15 nonperishable items designed for a family of 4 including a box of assorted fresh fruits and vegetables when available. The Pantry is open to the public.

3. 191 Fresh Produce Distribution -- available July - October provides a box of assorted fresh fruits and vegetables distributed the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at Diamondhead July - October and is available to all community members.

BrainPower plans to provide more than 700 students with a bag of food each week - enough for at least four meals and two snacks.  Participating students attend one of the eight elementary schools, two middle schools,  Burnsville High School and preschool programs including Early Childhood Special Education and Early Childhood Family Education programs at Diamondhead.  BrainPower also supports the 191 Community Pantry and Fresh Produce Distributions available on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays all year long and the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays July - October (Fresh Produce Distribution).  

Students are selected for BrainPower in a BackPack by school administrators, staff, social workers and parent recommendations.  As this program grows, we have been able to help more children and families needing hunger relief. We have reached our primary goal to feed the hungriest 20% of children district-wide (more than 700 students and families in need this past school year for an estimated 88,000 meals).

The food BrainPower provides is kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare and nutritious without requiring refrigeration. BrainPower staff purchase food and collect food donations; high school students and community volunteers fill the weekend food packages after school on Thursdays throughout the school year. 

Each child receives about 10 food items each week. BrainPower in a BackPack is free to all participating students.

This project benefits people in several ways: 

• Children who receive the food may show better rates of attendance.

• They may be energized for school and ready to learn (studies have shown a correlation between learning and nutrition).

• Teachers may find that students are more interested in participating in the classroom, rather than thinking about their next meal.

• Children may exhibit fewer negative behaviors that relate to not having enough to eat.

• Test scores may improve.

• Families will have a sense of relief that their children have enough to eat.

• Students who pack the backpacks will be making a contribution to families in our school district.

• Our community will feel good that the children are getting more of what they need and will have a better chance at success.

• We are raising awareness about local hunger issues.

We are very grateful that our community has embraced this project to improve the learning experience for these children. The money for this project is donated.  If you would like to make a financial contribution, click Donate.  You can also donate food; suggestions can be found by clicking on the food link.