There’s never a week we don’t get at least one call from a school administrator asking about our program and sharing about the needs of their kids. The good news is, word is spreading fast about our backpacks of food and the impact they’re having on children and families in B.C.
A couple months ago, we got an email from Claude Martin, Principal at École Gabrielle-Roy, a French language K-12 school located in Surrey. He’d heard about our program through other teachers and reached out to us for help.
He explained that although his school is small, many of his families are not able to feed their children properly. The parents work hard – but there’s not enough for rent, utilities and household needs. Food can be scarce at home on the weekends.
Thanks to the support of our incredible donors and volunteers, we were able to say a big YES to École Gabrielle-Roy a couple months ago. Since we started delivering bags of food to their kids, it’s made a big difference.
On Fridays, the bags of food are dropped off at reception. The school’s counsellor takes them to her office and the children come to collect them at the end of the day.
“We want it to be as anonymous and confidential as possible,” says Claude. “I’ve heard from the parents. They are very happy to have food for their children.”
Gabrielle-Roy is one of 23 new schools added to our program this school year. In Surrey, where École Gabrielle-Roy is located, Backpack Buddies’s amazing community of donors and volunteers are able to reach over 380 hungry kids every week.
Check out the video below to learn more about the communities and families we serve: