The San Francisco Food Bank has been bringing daily healthy morning snacks to hungry students at schools throughout San Francisco for the past three years, largely in part thanks to the generosity of the local community. Federal Express is currently matching donations to the program through Friday, April 13th (up to $30,000), so now's a great time to donate to the food bank if you've been meaning to do so.

The Morning Snack Program launched in collaboration with The Food Pantry in three schools in January of 2009 and has grown to accommodate 32 public schools and day care centers where over 50% of the students qualify to receive free or reduced-price meals.

The program provides snacks such as fresh oranges, bananas, apples, whole grain products, low-fat, nutrient-dense granola bars, nut butters, low-fat cheese, and milk five days a week to hungry students, and teachers have seen successful results. The Food Bank describes the experience of teacher Chris Telles from Daniel Webster Elementary School in Potrero Hill:

Prior to the Morning Snack Program, Mr. Chris’ students had difficulty in the hours before lunchtime. “It was hard for them to concentrate. They would keep asking, ‘Mr. Chris, when are we going to eat lunch?’ I don’t get those questions anymore.”