2021/2022 School Year Review & Summer Update

Even with continued delivery challenges, Backpack Buddies of Hilton Head still found ways to feed hungry kids on our island! Where there is a will, there is a way – and creative solutions helped us distribute food in new ways to the children who need it most.

A QUICK LOOK AT WHERE WE HELPED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR:

6,000 Food Packs (approximately) were distributed to the Elementary and Early Childhood schools during the school year. Each bag was filled with non-perishable, easy to eat food for the weekend.
Fresh Produce Bags at Neighborhood Outreach Connection
With three island locations, and six deliveries a month, the fresh produce bags have been a great way to supplement healthy food. 125 bags of food were delivered every Thursday and two times a month on Mondays during the school year. Each bag contains 5 veggies and 2 fruit.
Winter Break Gift Cards of $250
Thanks to Hilton Head Island ARPA/SLFRF COVID-19 Grant, 82 Publix gift cards were distributed in time for the long winter break.
After School Fruit & Snacks Provided for High School Tutoring
1,200 pieces of fruit and over 2,000 snacks were handed out during the school year.
Take Home Food Packs for Older Students
In addition to grab-and-go snacks, we are now providing take-home food bags for the older middle and high school age students. 1,296 food packs for middle schoolers and 540 food packs for high school students were handed out during the school year.
Over 300 Scholastic Books Were Distributed in The Elementary and Early Childhood Schools

The summer is the hungriest time for kids and Backpack Buddies will continue to support NOC and The Boys and Girls Club through the summer months with weekly fresh produce bags.

Backpack Buddies of Hilton Head is already gearing up for the 2022-2023 school year. We will continue to work closely with the social workers, nurses and staff in each school who identify students in need. We hope to secure a grant that would allow another gift card distribution at the beginning of the school year.

The financial support of many generous individuals and organizations have allowed us to help the hunger insecure in our community! Thank you so much for acknowledging that these families need help and partnering with us. It is because of you we have been able to creatively pursue getting food to the children in ways different from previous years. Thank you for your continued support! We can do great things together!