Food prices keep rising, and for a lot of students, that doesn’t just show up in headlines; it also shows up in empty lunches and skipped meals. That’s why programs like Backpack Buddies matter more than ever. Investing in this program means making sure kids facing food scarcity don’t have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, especially on weekends when school meals aren’t available.
Backpack Buddies is a popular organization that prevents students from going hungry by providing them with food and other consumer goods. It’s a massive organization that receives all sorts of donations for young students whose families are unable to afford simple needs for reasons such as tight finances or a guardian unable to work due to disability or sickness.
Backpack Buddies has helped a lot of families facing challenging situations as they help stabilize students and take on the day, providing two lunches, dinners, and snacks every Friday. This ensures that students have enough energy to properly function throughout the day.
According to Ron Pringle, the President/CEO of Inter-Faith´s Food Shuttle, ¨On any given day, one in six children in North Carolina is at risk of going without food. Hungry children face greater difficulty in school. They have trouble concentrating, resulting in lower test scores and other academic issues.¨
Academics are significant to students of all ages. When bombarded with excess stress by worrying about the possibility of not having the things you need, it can affect your studies and impact your ability to focus on one thing at a time.
According to WalterMagazine, ¨They found that some students struggled to pay attention during tutoring, so they started bringing a snack to each session. When they saw an improvement in focus and performance, it sparked a discussion about food insecurity. ´So many of us take for granted that we have access to food when we are hungry,´ said Kathy Foglia, a teacher at Wiley Elementary School.¨
Despite all of the positive feedback that has been received by Backpack Buddies, there are also some improvements that the public thinks can be made.
¨I enjoy that my students and peers can get the things, and it helps a lot as this organization helps my friends around me. But an improvement could be that they could supply more items in each bag,” said Aidan Sheryl, a student at Athens Drive.
Growing up in a different background does not mean people don’t care about you or your situation. Many people will go out of their way to help you when you need it, whether that be friends, teachers, counselors, or those who spend their time making organizations to prevent this.
¨I know a few of my friends who receive Backpack Buddies, and I’ve noticed that it supplies those who really need it, and it makes me proud knowing that someone created an organization to help provide for my friends. But I think it could be better as it doesn’t really have many healthy food items for those allergic or who want a low-calorie diet,” said Shanaydee Velazquez Diaz, junior at Athens Drive and supporter of Backpack Buddies.
People often tend to hide their problems due to the fear of being seen in a different light; however, it’s important to realize that no matter what, there will always be someone who’s willing to help out people in need.
¨I never experienced food issues in my life, however I have compassion and empathy for those who do have them, I’ve been very blessed but unfortunately with the way we are in the country right now, with the cost of heating and electricity, gas and food prices, they require finding the need to use resources like Backpack Buddies,” said Anita Cruther, a counselor at Athens Drive.
