November 13, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County School District has approximately 8% of the student population that goes hungry on a regular basis, with meals provided at school being their main source of food.
The DeKalb County Coordinated School Health BackPack Program was established in 2009 to help students with food insecurity. Through this program, students in need receive a bag of non-perishable food items to be taken home every weekend during the school year. When funding allows, extra food is sent home on breaks and food boxes are delivered to each student’s home for Christmas break.
This program is funded solely on donations from individuals, churches, civic organizations, and grants. Due to these generous donations and grants, the BackPack Program has maintained its ability to feed each participant of the program thus far. However, funding is not always consistent or guaranteed. “We currently have the highest number of participants in this program’s history. We are struggling to keep up with the needs of our students, as food prices have risen tremendously,” said Elise Driver, CSH Coordinator.
“We are continuously seeking donations of food and/or money to sustain our program,” she said. If anyone would like to donate to the BackPack Program, please contact the CSH Coordinator, Elise Driver, at elisedriver@dekalbschools.net or 615-215-2118.