BY Sylvia Stein
One of the many things I’ve noticed while working in our local schools is the number of families who can’t provide snacks for their children — and presumably don’t have enough food to last through the weekend. That’s why I was overjoyed when the Backpack Buddies program began here in Fuquay-Varina.
In Fuquay-Varina, the Backpack Buddies program operates as a community effort. Elementary school teachers, social workers and other staff identify students at risk of food insecurity through a careful, confidential process. They consider factors such as family income, living conditions and signs of hunger or malnutrition. Then, in a beautiful display of shared responsibility and support, they collaborate with local sponsors to collect food donations and provide essential help to students and families.
The program at Fuquay-Varina Elementary School (FVES) was started by teacher Mary Foster. “Mary had a real desire that kids did not go hungry,” said kindergarten teacher Sarah Toni. When Foster retired, fellow FVES educator Donna Mercado took over.
“We initially took care of 20 families,” Toni said. “We were so grateful when Hope Community Church adopted FVES. I remember sitting in church with my co-worker Christy Brown, also a kindergarten teacher at FVES and a member of Hope, when they asked for volunteers. When they began the Backpack Buddies program, it was a game changer. They helped us go from 15–20 bags a week to nearly 60 bags after COVID. The local community received flyers and donated groceries — some in batches of 25 prepackaged bags. Plus, they had ample storage.”
Hope Community Church has played a major role in expanding the Backpack Buddies effort. “We’ve been involved with the Backpack Buddies program and food pantry for over eight years — four of those since I became coordinator,” said Al Pleasants, food ministries coordinator at Hope. “We serve seven elementary schools in the area, including FVES.”
Pleasants said more than 150 volunteers gather on Mondays to prepare about 135 bags per week. “The bags are picked up and delivered to school social workers, who determine which families receive them,” he said. “Many of these children rely on school meals during the week, and we want to make sure they have something over the weekend, too. One in five children is estimated to go hungry, and we’re doing our part.” According to the church’s website, “We are dedicated to supporting children from food-insecure households by providing meals to ensure they have nutritious options over the weekend throughout the school year.”
Nicole Riscili, social worker at FVES, said 25 families are currently enrolled in the program, with more on the waitlist. “Due to the rising cost of groceries, we’re hoping for more donations,” she said. “The goal is to provide something over the weekend to sustain the children, and that depends entirely on support from donors.”
Another longtime partner is American Legion Post 116. “I oversee the Backpack Buddies program under the American Legion Cruisers,” said Kathy Koch, secretary of the Cruisers. “We collect canned food and dry goods from December through March for students in need. The food is sorted and stored in my garage and delivered monthly.”
The Post has supported Backpack Buddies for over 12 years. “We started with one school and 40 students. Now we serve four schools and more than 100 students,” Koch said. “We deliver to Fuquay-Varina Elementary School, Lincoln Heights, Carolina Charter and recently added Herbert Akins. Each school receives two truckloads per month — more than 1,000 pounds of food.”
She credited a wide range of volunteers: members of the American Legion, the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club, Girl Scouts, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Food Lion, a sixth-grade science class, and students from Fuquay-Varina High School and Willow Spring High School looking for volunteer hours. “I also post donation requests online,” Koch said. “We start in November and make our first large delivery in early December. After our final delivery in March, any remaining donations are taken to the downtown Fuquay food pantry.”
My own experience is a testament to the program’s impact. In 2012, during a period of financial hardship, a local school enrolled my family in the Backpack Buddies program. We were incredibly grateful. Each week, my kids received nutritious snacks and my husband and I had one less thing to worry about. That support gave us peace of mind and inspired me to become a volunteer.
The Backpack Buddies program continues to grow in Fuquay-Varina, bringing peace of mind to families through regular access to weekend meals and snacks. It has become a vital support system for families facing food insecurity, addressing the heartbreaking reality that many children go hungry when school is not in session. And at its essence, the program is about more than food. It’s about the generosity and compassion of volunteers and donors building community and providing a brighter future for the children of Fuquay-Varina.
If you would like to help or volunteer, please visit the Hope Community Church website (gethope.net/food-ministry/) for more information, or contact Kathy Koch, Cruisers secretary at the American Legion Post 116: slineykoch21654@gmail.com.
