Our event background:
In 2023, SOKY PATRIOTS INC. Launched the Backpack Food Fundraiser with Houchens Food Group. This annual fundraiser allows county backpack food coordinators from around the state to work together as a team. This team effort is focused on reducing child hunger in food-insecure students by raising the required funds necessary to facilitate the program throughout the school year.
The BackPack Program addresses the needs of food-insecure children by providing them with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food for weekends and school vacations when other resources are unavailable. This is accomplished through close collaboration with our schools’ Family Resource Youth Services Centers.
Although collaboration with Family Resource Youth Services Centers at schools is very important, it is not a role unless funds are allocated for this program. One main role of the local backpack coordinator is program fundraising. Being a backpack coordinator requires them to lead local volunteer efforts to raise funds for the program’s food expenses.
The partnership between County Backpack Coordinators and Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland enables coordinators to purchase food at reduced costs. But even at reduced costs, backpack coordinators must accept the challenges of factors beyond their control. We have experienced some major changes over the last few years.
Due to the impact of COVID-19 and economic conditions, food prices have increased by 40% in 2023, resulting in a doubling of food-insecure children in our communities and across Kentucky.
To address this financial challenge, in 2023 SOKY PATRIOTS INC. launched the Backpack Food Program Fundraiser.
SOKY PATRIOTS INC. serves as the Warren County BackPack Program Coordinator, as defined by our partnership with Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland.
-submitted by SOKY Patriots