SANFORD — Growing teens have growing appetites, and when school gets out for the day,  they’re often yearning for a snack, or a bit more.

So the Sanford Backpack Program, a grassroots endeavor funded through grants and  donations, is branching out, offering free food to Sanford High School students every Thursday, just as the school day ends.

“We know there’s a need in high school and kids are hungry after school,” said Ayn Hanselmann of the backpack program. They’re hungry because they may have had lunch but need a snack,  she said, or because their access to regular meals is limited.

The Sanford Backpack Program has been around for the last several years. Every Friday, about 200 backpacks are filled with non-perishable, easy meals and sent home with students. They’re most popular with elementary and junior high school students. Some backpacks go to the senior high school, as well, but Hanselmann pointed out that high school students don’t always choose to participate.

“It is a challenge when the traditional backpacks drop off at high school level,” said Hanselmann.

So a few weeks ago, the Sanford Backpack Program established “Hungry? We’ve Got Food,” that opens at the high school at 1:45 p.m.  One table is in the front lobby, another near the exit for student parking.

“We’re opening our ‘doors’ to all high school students, so its more accessible.” said Hanselmann. “We don’t care who you are, if at that moment you’re hungry — we’ve got food.”

She said that first Thursday, some students took chips to munch on the bus, others picked up bags filled with cereal, pasta, sauce, take- home pizza kits and more.

“Anyone can grab something,” she said. “We’re trying to get rid of the stigma.”

Hanselmann said if parents want to stop by to pick up items to take home if a student is reluctant to do so, they’re welcome to drop by at 1:45 p.m. on Thursdays. 

The first week “Hungry? We’ve Got Food” was open, all of the food was gone by 2:10 p.m.

The Sanford Backpack Program is funded by grants and fundraising.

Statistics from Good Shepherd Food Bank show 24 percent or nearly one in four children are hungry or at risk of going hungry — about 64,200 Maine children.

The statistics about childhood hunger also point out that Maine is 18th in the nation and first in New England  for childhood hunger and risk of hunger.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.