Kids will actually have to take their lunches to school this year! That calls for a new lunch box. Find just the
Lunch Box by Lunchbox by
Have a kid with the
SoYoung
The coolest of T-Rex-print lunch box. The detachable strap allows the pack to be worn messenger-bag style. Pro tip: The insulated liner pops out for easy daily cleaning. At Black Wagon. $34.
SO YOUNG
right fit with one of these choices.
Hydro Flask
Blue Dinosaur
carnivores adorns this
BENTGO
the lunch bunch
Kids Insulated
THERMOS
p l ay r o o m
Gear Guide:
Star Wars Episode
VII Metal Lunch Box by Thermos
last lunch period who only eats things that have to be kept cold? This lunch pack, with two layers of insulation, is for
THE BROWN-BAG BRIGADE One in five kids in Oregon experience
food insecurity. And for many of these children, their school provides the necessary meals needed for them to function and thrive
you. Also a good
lunch box — maybe like
pick for a tween who
the kind you had as a
doesn’t want a “kids”
kid? FYI, the Force is
lunch box. Available
strong in this choice
in eight colors. At
— the durable case
hydroflask.com.
will stand up to harsh
$44.95.
this bag with a handle on top (!) will help keep artfully arranged lunches The slim interior pocket holds an ice pack, while designed for water
amazon.com. HYDRO FLASK
bottles and utensils. At bentgo.com. $24.99. — Denise Castañon
response by the public. We all seem
Vietnamese.) This summer, the
to realize in this time of great need we
nonprofit also partnered with
want to make sure that kids are able
Portland Parks & Recreation to
to eat.”
provide 600 weekly food sacks
Portland Backpack distributes 1,000 meals across 10 elementary schools each weekend — a recent increase
at five parks alongside the city’s Lunch + Play program. Rheos says it’s easy for families
of four schools — by working with an
to volunteer for Portland Backpack.
in-school coordinator who manages
In fact, you can make food sacks
a food sack sign-up list. (The list is
without leaving the house. The
available in English, Spanish and
nonprofit’s website has a handy list of recommended, nutritious foods and a fool-proof packing guide. Once the bags are packed, they
Portland Backpack comes in.
can be dropped off at Portland
Since 2017, staff members and
Backpack’s office in Northeast
volunteers have been lovingly assembling
Portland.
brown paper sacks to donate to Portland-
“We would love to continue to
area children from food-insecure homes.
have families packing food sacks at
When the children peek inside, they find
home,” she says. “Kids and families
a tasty, kid-approved meal, including
can also create some loving care
oatmeal, mac ’n’cheese, fruit cups, granola
cards to express their care and
bars and more, plus, a colorful, handmade
encouragement to other kids. I love
card. providing 340 food sacks per week (and) we have grown more than two times,” says Executive Director Diane Rheos. “This is really due to the wonderful
pdxparent.com
PORTLAND BACKPACK
when we get care cards from kids.
“When the pandemic began, we were
|
Kids bento lunch tray
exterior pockets are
on the weekends? That’s where nonprofit
August 2021
If you use the Bentgo
from sloshing around.
treatment. At
Monday through Friday. But what about
6
Bentgo
or other bento boxes,
Go retro with a tin
$14.56.
Good Deeds:
Kids Lunch Bag by
They are often so meaningful.” For more information and how to volunteer, visit portlandbackpack. com. — Tiffany Hill
