This year North Raleigh Ministries has partnered with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to sponsor 40 local school children by providing backpacks filled with healthy foods that are distributed to hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. The BackPack Buddies Program serves children who are food insecure, meaning they do not have access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.

BackPack Buddies targets kids who access free and reduced price lunches at school. Children are identified as “in need” by school guidance counselors and site coordinators.  The food is child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed and vitamin fortified. Backpacks are discreetly distributed to children on the last day before the weekend or holiday vacation.

We are looking for some churches and/or Sunday school classes to help sponsor this effort by having food drives specifically asking for the items that are needed to fill the backpacks. Right now the biggest need is for individually sized servings of boxed, shelf-stable milk and 100% juice boxes. Some other items to consider when shopping for the BackPack Buddy Program are  individual serving size containers of canned meats, stews, packaged noodles, breakfast items, canned fruit and vegetables and healthy snacks. Please contact Katie Lghtbody at 785-9911 Ext. 157 if you have questions or would like to sign up.