BackPack Buddies

What is BackPack Buddies?

Our most at-risk students for food insecurity are also the ones who are most affected by the achievement gap, and below-average academic outcomes that can have lifelong effects. These students rely on their school cafeterias for the majority of their nutrition during the week. These supports do not exist over the weekend. So we step in to help fill the gap.  Weekend Backpack Programs send food home discreetly on Fridays to ensure students are well fed over the weekend and come back on Monday mornings ready to learn.

Who do we help?

We currently provide food to 43 children each week throughout the school year (36 weeks), for a total of 1,548 meals.  The average cost per bag is $9.  We currently serve Knightdale Elementary, Hodge Road Elementary and Forestville Road Elementary. Currently there are needs in these and other schools that we can not meet.

What types of food do Weekend Food Backpacks Supply?

Weekend Backpacks include nonperishable items: 2-fruit cups, 1- peanut butter and crackers, 1- pack of chips, 2- cereal cups, 1- oatmeal packet, 1- pack of cookies, 1- breakfast bar, 1- ramen noodle packet, 1- macaroni and cheese box, 2- 7.5oz. cans of spaghetti and meatballs, 1- 15oz can of spaghetti and meatballs. Enough food for two meals per day for Saturday and Sunday, plus one to two snacks per day.

Can I donate food for Weekend Backpacks?

Yes, INDIVIDULALY PACKAGED nonperishable food items. The best items for Backpacks are: fruit cups, cheese and crackers, pretzels, cereal cups, oatmeal packets, cookies, granola bars, packable tuna salad kits, soup cups, ramen noodle packets/pasta bowls, macaroni and cheese boxes, and instant mashed potatoes.

HOW TO HELP

To drop off donations, please contact Pastor Barry Jones to schedule a time.  barry@crosspointknightdale.com 

To donate monetarily, go to crosspointknightdale.com/giving, select “Backpack Buddies” fund. Make checks to: “Cross Point Church”, 1001 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC 27545, memo “Backpack Buddies”. 

Cross Point Community Church is a 501C3 organization.