Since 2018, the EERC has proudly partnered with Northlands Rescue Mission’s Backpack Program to fight food insecurity among children in our community. Each year, EERC staff come together to pack bags filled with food that are then distributed to local students in need. In addition to packing, EERC volunteers also deliver the food each week to participating schools, helping ensure consistent access for the children who rely on the program.
The Backpack Program provides essential weekend meals for children who might otherwise go without. Food is packed into easy-to-carry bags and delivered discreetly to schools, where social workers ensure it reaches the students who need it most. During the 2023–2024 school year, the program supplied 40,600 bags, which equals 81,200 meals to children in 11 schools across the region.
This year, EERC volunteers helped pack and deliver food that reached approximately 1200 children through this initiative.
We are honored to be part of this effort year after year and extend our thanks to Northlands Rescue Mission for its continued leadership in addressing hunger in our region. It is a meaningful way to give back and support the health and well-being of students in our community. To learn more about the Backpack Program and how you can help, visit: https://www.northlandsrescuemission.org/foodhelp#BackPackProgram