Free Breakfast for Children

The Free Breakfast for Children Program was started by the Black Panther Party in January 1969 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Oakland, California. At its peak, the program fed over 20,000 children weekly across 45 cities.

The program was one of over 60 "Survival Programs" run by the BPP, which also included People's Free Medical Clinics (operating in 13 cities), sickle cell anemia testing, free clothing and shoes, the Free Ambulance program, Oakland Community School, police-alert patrols, prison visitation buses, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Chairman Hampton called these "survival pending revolution" — practical programs that served the community's immediate needs while building toward systemic change.

The success of the Free Breakfast program directly inspired the creation of the federal school breakfast program.