The Rotary Club of Ocean Springs have partnered with the Backpack Buddies of Ocean Springs. The Backpack Program helps meet the needs of hungry children by providing them with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food to take home on weekends and school vacations when other resources are not available.
How it Works: Teachers and school counselors identify students who would benefit from the Backpack Program. Then the food bank is given the number of children in need at the school. The children’s identities remain anonymous to the food bank, donors, and their peers. With the help of volunteers, the food bank prepares the bags of food, which are placed discreetly in children’s backpacks on Friday afternoons for them to take home over the weekend. Over the past 3 weeks, Club Members assisted the Program with packing bags of food in preparation for delivery.
How you can help:
- $135 will sponsor a child for an entire school year. Click https://givingflow.rebelgive.com/4b4e8b89ed683783036e to make an online donation directly to the Program.
- Volunteer to help pack bags for the program.
- Become an advocate. Many are unaware of the severity and extent of child hunger in our communities. By promoting the program, you can help spread the word about child hunger and the ways we work to alleviate it.
If you would like more information about the Backpack Buddies Program, or would like to help, contact Stephen Songe, Club President, (228) 233-3170, or ssonge@songeagency.com.
Pictured from left: Rotarians Sherri Johnson, Kimberly Boling & Jacki Thornburg
Pictured from left: Jill Taylor, Backpack Buddies Program Director & Rotarian Tee McCovey
Pictured from left: Rotarians Michelle Wilson, Stephen Songe & Jacki Thornburg
Pictured from left; Rotarians Sherri Johnson, Jacki Thornburg & Kimberly Bowling
Pictured from left: Rotarians Leah Snyder, Tee McCovey & Lisa Greenberg