Food insecurity is not only an issue for adults in Jefferson County. Hunger also significantly impacts children in our community. Because of the gravity of the situation, Jefferson County schools offer breakfast and lunch programs for school age children throughout the academic year. However, while this provides considerable assistance to hungry kids during the school week, those same children leave school each and every Friday only to find themselves in need of food.
Backpack Buddies is a Supplemental Food Assistance Program, seeking to provide hungry children with food for those sparse weekends. Together with other Jefferson County churches, we collect foodstuffs (or cash donations) to fill backpacks for kids who need a little extra sustenance over the weekend. Currently, we fill approximately 60 backpacks each week – but this merely scratches the surface of the need. Our greatest hope is that every child (regardless of age) would be fed.
Backpack Buddies Stock Pantry Items
Jars of Peanut Butter
Raisins or other Dried Fruit
Cereal Bars/Granola Bars
Dry Cereal & Oatmeal packets
Snack Packets (pretzels, crackers, fruit bars, etc.)
Cans of Soup or Vegetables
Instant Potatoes or Rice
Cans of Ready-to-Eat Pasta
Canned Chicken, Tuna, or Vienna Sausages
Fruit Cups or Fruit Juice
Download the Backpack Buddies Pantry List >>>
