Backpack Buddies Addresses Weekend Childhood Hunger in B.C.

Students in the Greater Victoria area are returning home with backpacks filled with food, thanks to the efforts of Backpack Buddies. This initiative, founded in 2012 by Emily-anne King and her mother, Joanne King, aims to combat childhood hunger that often goes unnoticed during weekends. The program was born out of a conversation with an outreach worker regarding the lack of support for children who rely on school meal programs.

Backpack Buddies ensures that children who depend on meals provided during the week do not face hunger on Saturdays and Sundays. “The goal is simple: make sure children have what they need to eat on weekends so they can come to school Monday morning ready to learn,” stated Emily-anne King, the program’s executive director.

Expanding Impact Across British Columbia

What began as a small initiative has significantly grown over the years. Currently, Backpack Buddies serves approximately 6,800 children across 425 sites in British Columbia, reaching 83 communities each week. In the Vancouver Island region, the program supports around 1,800 children, with nearly 1,000 located specifically in the Greater Victoria area.

The organization prioritizes discretion, ensuring that students receive food without feeling singled out. As King explained, “When they pick that bag up at the end of the day and it’s a little heavier, they know they’re heading home with the food they need.” Each backpack typically contains eight meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, snacks, and milk, providing enough sustenance for the weekend.

To distribute these backpacks, local school staff work directly with Backpack Buddies. The selection of students who need support is handled by schools, either through letters sent home or allowing families to opt into the program.

Rising Demand Amid Economic Challenges

The demand for Backpack Buddies’ services continues to escalate. With grocery costs increasing by 47 percent since 2020, many families are struggling to provide adequate nutrition. Currently, there are 1,500 children on the waitlist for assistance. “It’s such a surreal number of children in this beautiful, resource-rich province that we live in, and this is the reality for so many children,” remarked King.

School breaks present added logistical challenges for the program, particularly during the winter holidays when food insecurity can be exacerbated. To address this, Backpack Buddies collaborates with local community agencies, such as the Boys and Girls Club, to ensure continuous support for children during these critical times. “While Christmas break for many kids is excitement and joy, for a lot of children, it actually brings fear, uncertainty, and hunger,” King added.

Backpack Buddies relies heavily on donations and community support to sustain its efforts. A donation of $25 can feed a child for an entire weekend, and the charity actively works with suppliers to maximize the impact of each contribution. As the holiday season approaches, King emphasizes the ongoing necessity of community generosity, stating, “Hunger doesn’t take a holiday. It’s the continued generosity of donors that ensures we can provide nourishment to kids across B.C.”