Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Nutrition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Volunteers describe 'Blessings in a Backpack' operations serving about 280 Fulton elementary students weekly
Summary
Local volunteers said Blessings in a Backpack packs weekend food bags for about 280–281 elementary students each week, has distributed 2,240 bags so far this year, relies on roughly 35 volunteers and estimates a $40,000 annual fundraising goal. Board members asked about discreet distribution and allergy accommodations.
Doug Stevens, a volunteer with the local Blessings in a Backpack team, told the Fulton City School District board that the program mobilizes community volunteers to pack weekend food bags for elementary students and that the local effort operates out of Prince of Peace Church. Stevens said the program is national in scope but locally run; volunteers pack and store bags that a Golden Sun bus picks up each Tuesday for distribution to four elementary schools, where school liaisons hand them out on Fridays.
Stevens said the local snapshot serves about 280 students each week and that figure was updated in the presentation to 281; the team has distributed 2,240 bags so far this year, has 35-plus volunteers, and estimates it costs about $5 per child per weekend (about $150 per school year) and roughly $40,000 annually to meet its goal. Board members asked how distribution is handled discreetly and how food allergies are managed; presenters said liaisons select students (volunteers do not receive student names) and that the school nurse maintains allergy lists and coordinates special packing as needed. Several board members praised the volunteers and encouraged more community participation.
No formal board action was required for the presentation. The program’s organizers left contact information for anyone seeking more information or to support the program.
