November 8, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
Somewhere in our community right now kids are going hungry.
To make sure those children have nutritious meals when they are not at school, the DeKalb County Coordinated School Health Program is seeking donations for the Backpack effort.
Approximately 6% of the DeKalb County student population 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 on the weekends 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. Donations are constantly sought for food and/or money to sustain the program.
If you are interested in making a donation, please contact CSH Coordinator, Elise Driver, at 615-215-2118 or elisedriver@dekalbschools.net.
Please remember all food items should be non-perishable and within the products expiration date.