Feeding Area Children Together

We know that students receive healthy meals at school. But do they have reliable meals outside of school? 

1 in 5 Central Minnesota children experience hunger. All children learn better when every child comes to class with their basic nutritional needs being met. FACT is dedicated to fueling education by reducing childhood hunger in our schools.  

Feeding Area Children Together was founded in 2017 by four Madison Elementary school parents concerned about the effects of hunger in our schools. FACT is a 501(c)3 organization with three initiatives: FACT Packs, FACT Pantries, and Break Boxes. We serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade in 12 schools throughout the St. Cloud, Sartell/St. Stephen, and Sauk Rapids/Rice School Districts.

FACT Programs:

FACT Packs – Food for the weekends and breaks. Packs are discreetly placed in participating student backpacks on the last day of school each week. The bags contain non-perishable, child-friendly food items to provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks for every Saturday and Sunday throughout the academic school year. On average, each bag provides 7.5 meals at a cost of $6.00. This year, FACT will provide 350 FACT Packs to students each week.    

FACT Break Boxes – Food for families. Break Boxes are distributed prior to winter break in December and mid-winter break in March. Break Boxes contain pantry staples and perishable items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, and eggs to help families stretch their food budget over the longer breaks. The average family leaves with more than 25 pounds of food. Break Boxes are offered to all families at the schools we serve. The Break Box initiative depends on food drives, donated grocery gift cards or directed donations. The goal is 500 boxes this year. Sponsor a box for $25.00.

FACT Pantries – Emergency food shelfs located within our schools and FACT office. The FACT Pantries are managed by school counselors, and other trained staff, and relies on donations from the community to provide food to students and families that need additional food assistance during the week.