Backpack Buddies

The Community Kitchen of Monroe County provides backpacks of weekend food to selected low-income children at local schools, approximately 400 children across 18 different local schools. These children receive an 8 lb backpack of food each week to help their families with their weekend food needs. In many cases, children in poverty are only able to get regular meals from school lunches (and breakfasts, where applicable).

Low supply for a high demand

Over one-and-a-half tons of food is needed each week for this program. The box for your donated food is located inside the door of the Rogers Street entrance. When the box is full, we deliver it to Community Kitchen. We would love to deliver a full box every week. Please consider picking something up during your weekly grocery trip; anything helps.

Items should be small and lightweight, such as canned meat, peanut butter, fruit cups, and easy to prepare items. For a full list of most-needed foods, please visit the Community Kitchen programs page.