Fewer kids will go home hungry on the weekends thanks to a grant supporting the Buddy Backpacks program.

Officials of United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, or UWNEMN, announced last week that through community giving, a matching funds grant of $10,000 will be awarded by the Otto Bremer Foundation to support the Buddy Backpack program in Koochiching County.

The program fills backpacks with nonperishable, child-friendly, nutritious meal kits to children who are at risk of going hungry over the weekends. The food packs are designed to sustain and nourish kids over the weekend in order to help them get back into the classroom on Monday ready to learn and grow. The program is operating in International Falls schools, KOOTASCA Head Start, Northome and Littlefork-Big Falls schools.

The Otto Bremer Foundation made a commitment to match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 of all contributions received by the United Way for the program in a one-year time period beginning Aug. 1, 2103. UWNEMN attained that goal by Dec. 31, 2013, said a news release.

To reach the goal, UWNEMN received support from the Koochiching County business community, as well as from individuals, associations, foundations, and other United Way chapters throughout the state, the release said.

“We are so thankful and appreciative of all those who gave to support our community in a time of need,” said Julie Ehrman, UWNEMN advisory board chair. “This program is going to help the most vulnerable children of our area and it is going to make a difference in their lives.”

With the permanent reduction of 265 jobs in 2013 at the International Falls paper mill, UWNEMN projected an increased need for the Buddy Backpack program. As a result of an outpouring of financial support by the community, 120 children in Koochiching County are receiving the weekly backpacks filled throughout this school year.

In addition to the monetary donations to the program, the release said UWNEMN has also received in-kind contributions that support the effort. Minnesota Industries picks up the food kits monthly from the UWNEMN warehouse in Chisholm to bring the food to International Falls. And, Mike Silvers, retired Boise Paper employee and UWNEMN advisory board member, donates his time and truck to deliver the kits to each of the area schools who are participating.

UWNEMN officials said they are grateful for the support received in Koochiching County in order to continue the efforts of combating childhood weekend hunger through Buddy Backpacks.

For more information on the program or to find out how to become involved, visit www.unitedwaynemn.org.