Local backpack ministry begins its twelfth year

Each week volunteers prepare the first 275 weekend backpacks for five Duplin County schools for the 2024-25 school year at the Wallace Methodist Church.

North Carolina is the tenth highest state in the nation for household food insecurity according to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. In Duplin County alone, 23.5% of children under the age of 18 live in food insecure households. The program runs all year with a primary focus on the school year with additional support in the summer.

Donations from area churches, businesses and individuals support the purchase of non-perishable food items from Food Lion to provide weekend meals for school children living in food insecure households.

Schools in Beulaville, Chinquapin, Rose Hill-Magnolia and Wallace have requested aid. School social workers ensure delivery to those most in need.

Included in each backpack are three entrees, two fruit cups, two beverages, peanut butter filled crackers, two oatmeal cakes and a pack of Pop Tarts. A third entrée was added when the two small cans of vegetables with child-friendly tops were no longer available.

In the 2023-24 school year, over 250 backpacks were supplied weekly to students in the five schools. This represents an increase of 20% from the 2022-2023 school year. The cost for each backpack has increased 25% as grocery prices soared.

The process is rewarding for volunteers as donating food fights hunger and helps students to attend school, concentrate more, and develop into healthy individuals.

Backpacks are also provided for the 10 weeks of summer. Approximately 900 were provided this past summer, an increase of 50% from the year before.

Dr. Obasohan, Superintendent of Duplin County schools, acknowledges that the backpack program has been beneficial to the students and has prevented them from going hungry over the weekend.

Special thanks to all who have supported the program with a special shout-out to Connie Perkins and Jim Perry.