Local nonprofit helping against food insecurity with Backpack Blessings program

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Now that school is back in session, many kids are getting their daily nutrition at the campus cafeteria. But what do they do for food on the weekends?

A local non-profit organization is trying to fill the gap with the Backpack Blessings program, which started in 2011. For the last 13 years, it’s served more than thousands of students.

Volunteers collect food donations, pack the food, and then deliver the meals and snacks to students at eight Panama City Beach schools.

“We try to provide dinner for Friday, breakfast, lunch, dinner for Saturday and Sunday, and some snacks. Every week. And, you know, we are able to provide more or give a little extra. We try to do that if we know there’s a sibling at home. We try to include extra food for the sibling,” Backpack Blessings President Lynn Sears said.

With school starting this past Monday, the group’s first stocking day was Wednesday. They unpacked and organized over $11,000 worth of food.

They are still collecting the list of kids who will receive the first delivery at the end of August.

Sears says that this kind of aid is critical in the community.

“There’s a lot of need here. And I don’t know what the reason is. It may just be a family in a difficult situation and we’re going to step in and help whatever that need is. We’re going to stand in the gap for these kids because they deserve it,” Sears said.

The group aims to help kids with food insecurity get the meals they need. They say the community they’ve built while doing that, is just the icing on the cake.

“My favorite part is just knowing what help will provide, but also just getting together with this group of volunteers every week and just with all the friendships over this effort as well. So it’s wonderful,” volunteer Trond Genermen said.

Sears said they have well over 100 volunteers helping with every step of the process.

“To be able to be part of a community and step in and help where there’s a need is, you know, I think that’s the greatest thing for me. And, you know, whether you serve here or somewhere else, there’s so much need in our community,” Sears said.

The group also partners with local companies to provide extras like feminine products and basic toiletries.

Students can sign up for the meal bags at their school. The first food drop-off will be on August 29.

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