Dozens of volunteers recently gathered at the Morris Education Center to assemble meal bags as part of the Backpack Buddies Program, ensuring more than 300 students across Transylvania County Schools had food to eat during spring break.
The program provides nutritious, non-perishable food to students facing food insecurity during school breaks.
Without it, organizers say, many students would go without reliable meals when school cafeterias close, which organizers say can affect both their well-being and their performance in the classroom.
The Backpack Buddies Program is organized by the Transylvania County Schools Educational Foundation in partnership with Transylvania County Schools Child Nutrition Department. It is supported by a wide network of community partners, including the Sharing House, the Hunger Coalition, TCS Student Services, Brevard Wesleyan Church, Grace Church and the many local volunteers who make it all happen.
“We are incredibly grateful for the strong partnerships and dedicated volunteers who make this effort possible, ensuring that children served by Transylvania County Schools have access to the nourishment they need to thrive, even over school breaks,” TCS Ed Foundation Executive Director Andrea Townson said.
The foundation hosts three bag-packing events throughout the year to distribute nutritious meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks.
It also offers a weekend backpack buddy bag provided to students on the weekends. These food bags are donated by MANNA Foodbank.
"This long-standing program is essential to supporting local families in need, especially during times when school is not in session,” said Townson. “No family should go without food, and through our Backpack Buddies program, we’re able to help bridge that gap for hundreds of students across Transylvania County each year.”
The program, which has been in operation for more than 19 years, depends on the generosity of the community to continue. Financial donations of any size go directly toward feeding students in Transylvania County and ensuring the program can serve those who need it most.
To donate or learn more, contact the Transylvania County Schools Educational Foundation at foundation@tcsnc.org.
Without local support, some students would not receive a weekly food pack, and no students would receive holiday packs that go out during the four major long breaks during the year, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Summer.
You can sponsor a child for $150.00 dollars per school year. ALL Donations are appreciated.
Complete this form to make a donation to the TCS Back Pack Buddies Program.
We are thankful for those that sponsor the Back Pack Buddies program Manna Food Bank, local donors, Grace Brevard Church, and individuals from various community organizations.
Checks should be made payable to: Transylvania County Schools Educational Foundation
Please mail to: P.O. Box 102, Brevard, NC 28712 Memo line: BackPack Buddies
Make your donation online at https://donorbox.org/backpack-buddies-1