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Student volunteers pack meals for kids.
Backpack for Kids, a program under Troy University’s Office of Civic Engagament, addresses food insecurity issues in Pike County.
The program falls underneath Campus Kitchens, which meal preps excess prepared food from Troy’s dining hall. This food is then packaged and sent out on Friday afternoons to youth-serving agencies in the community. These meals include a protein, a starch and a vegetable item.
“It's just a way for us to support young families and children in our community,” said Lauren Cochran, civic engagement coordinator. “It addresses a couple different things because we’re saving food that is gonna be thrown away, and we’re making sure it gets into the hands of children in our community who could use that food.”
Backpack for Kids packages every other week and delivers every week. All food items packaged in Backpack for Kids are collected from food drives or are donated items.
On packaging day, every other Wednesday, these donated items are pulled from storage at the Civic Engagement Outreach Center and are packaged by student volunteers.
“We're grateful for volunteers that come,” Cochran said. “This is a great program for students interested in playing an impactful role in serving our community in a way that youth and families can really benefit from.”
Each bag consists of an entree, two snack items, two breakfast items and a fruit. Backpack for Kids offers a bag to children ranging from elementary to middle school.
Civic Engagement’s Backpack for Kids partners with three community organizations: Headstart, Boys and Girls Club and Common Ground.
Jayden McQueen, a junior political science major from Crestview, Florida, is a lead student staff member of Civic Engagement. McQueen, along with a few other student staff, led the Backpack for Kids packaging last Wednesday.
“It was just great seeing how many people had came out that day even though the weather was pretty rough,” McQueen said. “I think it's important for students to remember that you’re not just here to get a degree.
“You’re also here to get an experience and get involved. It's important to give back to the community that is giving to us by volunteering and helping other people.
“Even though we may not see that immediate result or see them ever again, it’s just good to think that we are making a difference getting to pack these bags for them, and this is a small way we can do that.”
Ayonna Mitchell, a freshman sports management major from Fort Pierce, Florida, attended the packaging day for her first time.
“I loved it, and honestly, I'll do it again,” Mitchell said. “Helping kids really means a lot because growing up, I had friends who didn’t have as much, so I just love helping.
Giving out anything, whether it be food or supplies, is very important to kids who don’t have as much. Just help and give when you know you can and when you know others are unfortunate.”
Mitchell talked about the importance of giving back to the community, especially the kids and youth of our community. “For those interested in volunteering with Backpack for Kids, the next packaging day will be Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Civic Engagement Outreach Center.
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