MADISON, Wis. — A nonprofit that provides weekend food to children experiencing food insecurity is preparing to expand its service into Madison. Blessings in a Backpack currently supports 250 students in the DeForest and Sun Prairie school districts. During the school year, volunteers place bags of food in participating students’ backpacks each Friday, allowing them to take the food home for the weekend without drawing attention to their participation. Susie Reed, managing director of the organization’s Southern Wisconsin chapter, said the program is designed to help children who may not have reliable access to food outside school hours. Fields Automotive Group will host a community event from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at its Badger Road location. The gathering will introduce Madison residents to Blessings in a Backpack and raise awareness as the organization works toward establishing a local program. The expansion comes as schools and community groups continue to rely on nonprofit food assistance to help address gaps between school meals and what families can afford at home. For students who depend on school breakfasts and lunches, the weekend can create an especially difficult stretch. Blessings in a Backpack’s approach is built around discreet, school-based distribution so students can receive food while maintaining their privacy. Details about the Madison program’s launch, participating schools and enrollment were not provided.