Buddy Packs

The Food Bank partners with elementary schools in 19 of the 32 counties in its service area to provide BuddyPacks to school children. BuddyPacks are backpacks filled with kid-friendly, nutritious food that students take home over the weekend or holidays to supplement their meals when there is not enought or them to eat at home. After the weekend, the kids bring their empty BuddyPack back to school to be refilled by local volunteers. The program continues week after week throughout the school year to keep the growing youngsters happy and healthy.

In 2009, the BuddyPack program helped feed about 3,800 children each week, and we anticipate an increased need this year. You can help by donating backpacks or money to purchase food for the program.

Here are a few items you can choose to donate to this program:

• New or gently used Backpacks
• Nutritious, shelf-stable food items such as
  • Peanut butter crackers
  • Pop-top Canned fruits
  • Pop-top Canned soup
  • 100% fruit juice
  • Granola bars
  • Peanut butter (in plastic jar)

If you choose to donate food, please avoid items such as:

• Food stored in glass containers
• Perishable food such as fresh fruits & vegetables
• Cookies or other items containing a lot of sugar

If you prefer, make a cash donation to The Food Bank, and we'll buy the food for the BuddyPacks directly.

Click here to watch Executive Director, Peggy Kirkpatrick show us how to fill a BuddyPack!