Backpack Buddies received a boost in the form of a $10,000 donation by the Kinston Noon Rotary Club on Thursday.
Backpack Buddies provides weekend food for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunches.
Jamie Creel, president of the Kinston Noon Rotary Club, said the money was part of an international grant designated for its district by Rotary International.
When the club received the grant, Creel said he couldn’t think of a better place to use the money.
“When we have hungry children who suffer for an entire weekend without nourishment, we as Rotarians should not rest knowing that there was assistance we could provide,” Creel said.
Steve Jefferson, the former club president, sees the program as a necessity for the community.
“It’s necessary because they are so many children in need,” Jefferson said. “It’s an opportunity to provide proper nourishment.”
Nancy Britt, the program’s local coordinator, said people don’t often think about children going without food on the weekends.
She said the program has been successful during its first four years. In total, 8,816 backpacks have been given out so far.
Britt said each backpack contains two pastas, two meats, two fruits, two juices and two pop tart packages. She said a nutritionist helped put the backpacks together.
Britt said the program is a team effort with people having to buy the food, put the backpacks together and then deliver them to schools on Fridays, so the participating students can take the food home for the weekend,
Britt said Backpack Buddies has partnered with schools around Kinston, including, Northeast and Southeast elementary schools.
The program is supported by local churches and members of the community, Britt said.
Britt said on average it costs around $1,700 each month to run the program.
She said she enjoys working with Backpack Buddies very much.
“When you are working with children, it’s a delight,” Britt said.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @ nclark763.