The Columbus Baptist Association had a successful evening at their monthly Backpack Buddies Ministry Tuesday. The organization had 15 volunteers lend a hand and over 500 bags were packed.
Without access to free or reduced school lunch, many children struggle with hunger on weekends, Rev. Dave Heller explained. For these children, the weekend is often viewed with anxiety and apprehension over what they will eat. Children who lack access to nutritious foods over the weekend then show up to school suffering from dizziness, nausea, and have difficulty concentrating. Behavioral issues often go hand in hand with these complaints.
“The Backpack Program was created to ensure our kids show up to school Monday morning happy, healthy, ready and able to learn,” Heller said.
The ministry sends home packs of food with children in need on Friday afternoons so the stress of having something to eat over the weekend is alleviated. Meals and snacks for Saturday and Sunday can be found in these care packages.
The CBA has most of the supplies they need to fill the backpacks, but a couple of items are hard to get a hold of at the moment. Juice boxes are high on the list of necessities, and pudding cups are very hard to find.
If you would like to donate either of these items, drop-off locations include the CBA office, the Kool 103.9 FM studio, and Dr. Timothee Orthodontics.
If you would like to volunteer to help pack backpacks, the next packing party will be on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the CBA office located at 208 South Thompson Street in Whiteville.
