Backpack Buddies
Healthy Meals for Healthy Children

Background
Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day.  Backpack Buddies, a free ministry of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 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?
Backpack Buddies needs volunteers to pack and deliver the backpacks on a weekly basis.  A list of needed food items is available on the back of this brochure.  Financial donations can be made to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church and marked for “Backpack Buddies.”  Donations can also be mailed to the church at the address listed on the front of this brochure.

More Information
For more information on the Backpack Buddies program you may contact Pastor Billy Towery or Sherri Brown at 704.392.2387.

Partnerships
Pleasant Grove Church is currently seeking partnerships in providing this ministry.  We would appreciate the assistance of individuals, civic organizations, school groups, and local grocery stores.  If you are interested in partnering with us in this important effort you may contact us at the address or phone numbers found in this brochure.
                                                                 

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.