Families helping Families. Kids helping kids. A community united by the belief that all children should come to school nourished and ready to learn. That is the heart of BackPack Buddies. [box type="note" size="medium" border="full"]EVENT INFO: August 20th #BackPackBuddies Drive with MIX 101.5[/box]
We are constantly inspired by the generosity of our community during our annual BackPack Buddies Drive with MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM. This year we hope YOU will join us Wednesday, August 20th as we change the lives of hungry children, one backpack at a time. Just read this testimonial from a BackPack Buddies Coordinator at one of our elementary schools:
"It just so happened a child mentioned to her teacher that she was hungry because she and her brother and her mother had to share one apple for breakfast that morning. They were hungry – they were out of food. And the next day I delivered a backpack of food to her classroom, and the teacher said that child lit up like a Christmas tree, she was so excited to see that food. That tells you that you’re making a difference right there.”
3 ways you can get involved with our BackPack Buddies Drive
- LISTEN to MIX 101.5 all day Wednesday and spread the word to all your friends! Join the conversation on Twitter (@FoodShuttle), Facebook (InterFaithFoodShuttle), and Instagram (@FoodShuttle) using #BackPackBuddies.
- DONATE $$ Just $35/month will feed a child every weekend for an entire year. Donate online all week by clicking here.
- DONATE FOOD Children need HEALTHY food, not just any food. Please donate non-refrigerated milk, 100% juices, meats & stews, breakfast items, and canned fruits & vegetables. Click here for more healthy donation suggestions.
2014 BackPack Buddies Drive locations
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and MIX 101.5 will be accepting food and/or monetary donations from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. On-air talent from MIX 101.5 will also be on-site and happy to meet you!
- Brier Creek - RTP (in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods) *NEW LOCATION*
- 6am-10am Gene & Julie
- 10am-3pm Diane Ramsey
- 3pm-6pm Jim Kelly
- Crossroads Plaza - Cary (in front of Old Navy)
- 6am-9am David Crabtree & Vanna Fox
- 9am-11am Vanna Fox
- 11am-3pm Gene & Julie
- 3pm-6pm Jami Caskey
Why give to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle's BackPack Buddies?
The statistics for North Carolina are too high: 1-in-4 children is at risk for hunger. Here in our own backyard, the numbers are even more heart-wrenching. In the 7 counties IFFS services, nearly 116,000 low-income children (43%!) receive free and reduced-price lunch at school. But on weekends, bare cupboards and rumbling bellies are a reality for many of these children.
That's where Inter-Faith Food Shuttle's BackPack Buddies program steps in. BackPack Buddies provides children from food-insecure homes with 6 balanced meals and 2 healthy snacks at the end of every week. The child recipients - who are selected by school principals, guidance counselors, and supervisors of various after school programs - bring their food home discreetly each Friday in a backpack. And this backpack food completely changes what a weekend means for them and their families. Said one parent of a BackPack Buddies child recipient:
"The food bags have made a difference to my family by providing not only snacks that the children can open by themselves by also food that we can cook as a family."
BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE!!
The school year is upon us, and we need YOUR help more than ever before. During the 2013-2014 school year, 1,850 children were served 68,450 BackPacks at 55 sites in 7 counties. And the need is growing.
If you are not in a position to give but would still like to make a difference, we encourage kind hearts of all ages to start your own fundraiser or hold a food drive of your own! You are never too young to help those in need, just ask William (aka “The Food Drive Kid”), the Riehs kids, Elle, or Campbell & Joe Thomas.
In addition, your corporation, church, or civic group can become a sponsor or partner for BackPack Buddies! In addition to providing funds & food, experience the rewarding feeling of packing & delivering the BackPacks to children at one of the schools we serve.
Click here to learn about Inter-Faith Food Shuttle programs targeting Children's Hunger, including mobile meals, school pantries, and kids cafes.
By Lindsay Humbert, IFFS Digital Media Specialist. Contact: Lindsay@foodshuttle.org