Backpack Buddies Fights Childhood Hunger in Greater Victoria

Backpack Buddies, a charity initiative in British Columbia, is addressing a critical issue often overlooked: childhood hunger on weekends. Founded in 2012 by Emily-anne King and her mother, Joanne King, the program emerged after a conversation with an outreach worker revealed a significant gap in support for students who rely on school meal programs. The question posed was simple yet profound: “If you could wave a magic wand, what would you wish for your students?” The answer became the foundation of Backpack Buddies—sending children home on Fridays with food to sustain them over the weekend.

The mission is straightforward: ensure that children who benefit from school meals during the week do not go hungry on Saturdays and Sundays. King, who serves as the program’s executive director, emphasizes the importance of equipping these children with adequate food. “We want to make sure that those children have what they need to eat on weekends so that they can come to school Monday morning ready to learn and not one step behind their peers,” she explained.

Expanding Reach Across British Columbia

Since its inception, Backpack Buddies has expanded significantly, now serving approximately 6,800 children each week across 425 sites throughout British Columbia. On Vancouver Island alone, the program supports around 1,800 children, with about 1,000 located in the Greater Victoria area. The charity emphasizes discretion in its operations, ensuring that students can receive food without feeling singled out or stigmatized. “When they pick that bag up at the end of the day and it’s a little heavier, they know they’re heading home with the food they need,” King noted.

Each backpack provided contains eight meals, along with fresh fruits, vegetables, snacks, and milk—enough to last a child through the weekend. Volunteers play an essential role in packing these bags at the charity’s warehouses, while local school staff are responsible for distributing them directly to students. The selection process is conducted by the schools, which may inform families through letters or allow children to opt into the program.

Growing Need Amid Rising Costs

The demand for Backpack Buddies’ support continues to escalate. Since 2020, grocery costs have surged by 47 percent, placing additional strain on families. Currently, there are 1,500 children on the waitlist for the program. “It’s such a surreal number of children in this beautiful, resource-rich province that we live in, and this is the reality for so many children,” King remarked.

School breaks present unique challenges for the program, but Backpack Buddies collaborates with community agencies, including the Boys and Girls Club and local community centres, to maintain support during these periods. King highlighted the added stress that the winter holidays can bring for children facing food insecurity. “While Christmas break for many kids is excitement and joy, for a lot of children, it actually brings fear, uncertainty, and hunger,” she said.

To continue meeting the increasing demand, Backpack Buddies relies heavily on donations and community support. A contribution of $25 can feed a child for an entire weekend. The charity works directly with suppliers to maximize the impact of each donation, ensuring that every contribution goes a long way in combating childhood hunger.

As the holiday season approaches, King emphasizes the ongoing need for generosity. “Hunger doesn’t take a holiday. It’s the continued generosity of donors that ensures we can provide nourishment to kids across B.C.,” she concluded. The work of Backpack Buddies highlights the urgent need for community involvement in addressing childhood hunger, ensuring that every child has access to the food they need to thrive.