Why Backpack Buddies?

1 in 5 children struggle with hunger in South Carolina
-feedingamerica.org

Free/Reduced lunch statistics for Hilton Head public schools:
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/how-diet-and-nutrition-impact-a-childs-learning-ability
These numbers show the percentage of the school’s attendance whose family income fall at or below poverty levels and have filled out paperwork required for lunch assistance.

Early Childhood Center (ECC) Pre-K & Kindergarten – 57%

Hilton Head Island Elementary (HHIBE) Grades 1-5 – 54%

School for the Creative Arts (SCA) Grades 1-5 – 52%

Hilton Head Middle School (HHMS) Grades 6-8 – 45%

Hilton Head Island High School (HHIHS) Grades 9-12 – 33%

During the school year we expect to provide over 10,000 packs of food serving more than 300 students each week.

Studies show that when a child goes hungry over the weekend it will take that child 2.5 days of regular meals for them to retain what they are learning. That means if a child comes to school hungry on Monday they are not ready to learn until Wednesday afternoon. (Feeding America)
Childhood hunger had broad range negative effects on a child’s health, cognition, academics, emotion and social well-being. (nokidhungry.org)
Food insecure children may be at greater risk of truancy and school tardiness. When they are in school, children who are food insecure may experiences increases in an array of behavior problems including: fighting, hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, mood swings, and bullying. (Feeding America)