Feed the Boro is pleased to announce a new summer feeding initiative, specifically aimed to serve our food-insecure children residing in Bulloch County. Summer is often a critical time for food-insecure families, as traditional food service programs available during the school year are not available during the summer months.
In an effort to address this need, Feed the Boro will be implementing a pilot program providing “Backpack Buddy Bags” to students participating in select summer education programs.
The Backpack Buddy Program provides participating students with a discreet, backpack-sized bag containing the following items:
- 2 breakfast meals
- 2 lunch proteins/meals
- 2 fruit items
- 2 shelf stable milk/juice boxes
- 3 healthy snack items (granola bars, fruit bars, snack crackers)
All items are easy-open, easy preparation, designed for children K-8 to self-prepare. Bags are designed to provide weekend meals (breakfast and lunch), which are normally provided in the schools during the regular school week.
300 to 400 bags needed weekly
Through the input and partnership with Bulloch County Schools, Feed the Boro will be providing 300-400 bags per week throughout the summer educational program.
Bags will be made available to ALL students in need at the Langston Chapel Elementary and Julia P. Bryant Elementary summer education programs, with plans to expand to other school communities if enrollment/participation permits.
Estimated numbers:
- 150-200 Julia P. Bryant
- 100 Langston Chapel Elementary
- 50 Mattie Lively Elementary
- 50-100 Sallie Z Elementary
Save the Children and Food Lion
The financial and food support for this program come from the tremendous generosity of several local and national partners. Feed the Boro was honored to receive a Save the Children funding grant, a portion of which will be used to assist in the cost of this initiative.
Also providing valuable support to the pilot program is our community partner, Food Lion, Inc.. Food Lion, a long-time supporter of Feed the Boro, will be facilitating the acquisition of required food items, as well providing additional food donations.
First Presbyterian Church and Pittman Park United Methodist Church
FTB is pleased to also have partnerships with First Presbyterian Church of Statesboro and Pittman Park United Methodist Church, both of which will be providing food donations and/or volunteer support.
They hope this pilot program will address a critical need in our community for our most vulnerable citizens – our children. Feed the Boro's aim is to build a successful model that will be sustainable each summer.
How you can help
FTB looks forward to partnering with additional community agencies on this initiative as they look to create an on-going program to feed children in need. Please contact Feed the Boro President Mr. Don Poe by email at [email protected] or by phone at 912-541-0411 if you would like to learn more about how you can support this Backpack Buddy Program.
