The Backpack Buddies program was started in 1995 by a school nurse in Little Rock, Ark., who realized that children coming to her with headaches and stomach aches were actually suffering from hunger, not illness. At that time, she began sending food home with the children in their backpacks on Fridays. The school where she worked saw an immediate improvement in grades and in enthusiasm in the children. From that time, the program has spread throughout the country. In Jackson County alone, there are Backpack Buddies programs in Gautier, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula and Moss Point.
The Pascagoula Backpack Buddies program began in 2008. Since then, Chevron has played an important role in collecting and distributing food donations to aid the Backpack Buddies organization in feeding hungry school children in our local area.
Last year, Chevron collected $2,878 and 9,192 food items to provide to Backpack Buddies for distribution. Chevron is hoping to collect even more money and food this year.
Chevron is doing a food drive for Backpack Buddies of Pascagoula (BPB) for the rest of the month into mid-August
Check out the flyer below to see how you can help! Contact Jaquelyn Modist for more info: Jacquelyn.Modist@chevron.com
