Background
Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day. Backpack Buddies, a free ministry that seeks to provide children with healthy meals and snacks through Oakdale Elementary School.
How Backpack Buddies Works
Each Friday afternoon, students receive a backpack of healthy food and snacks. On Monday the students return the empty backpack to the school office, to be restocked with food for the following Friday. If the backpack is not returned then the student will not be allowed to take home a backpack the next Friday. The backpack may include the following items: cereal, breakfast bars, oatmeal, juice, tuna kits, mac and cheese, soup, fruit cups, ravioli, vegetables, milk and other nutritious foods.
Who Participates?
The school staff will identify those students who are invited to participate in the program. Program participation will be kept as confidential as possible. A parent or guardian must return a signed permission form for their child to participate. The form will be sent home through the school.
How Can I Help?
Monetary or food donatiosn can be dropped at the Pleaseant Grove Presbyterian church office Tuesday through Friday 9-4 or on Sunday 9-11. A list of needed food items is available below. Please mark financial donations for “Backpack Buddies.” Donations can also be mailed to the church at 6701 Pleasant Grove Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Partnerships
Pleasant Grove Presbyterian church is partnering with Pleasant Grove Methodist church to providenthis ministry. Backpacks are assembled weekly at PGUMC. If you would like to help in packing the backpacks please contact PGUMC Pastor Billy Towery or Sherri Brown at 704.392.2387.
Suggested items in Individual Serving Sizes
100% juice boxes
Oatmeal, Grits, Cereal
Shelf Stable Milk
Tuna Kits
Mac & Cheese
Cracker Packs
Cookie Packs
Chicken Noodle Soup
Vegetable Soup
Applesauce
Fruit Cans
Spaghettios, Ravioli, Chili
Canned Veggies
Granola Bars
Pudding Cans
Pop Tarts
Vienna Sausages
Peanut Butter Individual Servings
Bottled Water
Goldfish
Graham Crackers
Pretzels
Rice Cakes
Any individually packaged, nutritious, child-friendly food is acceptable.
Donations are gladly accepted at the Church office.
