“JOHNNY, CAN you come to my desk, please?” At the sound of his name being called, Johnny jumped from his seat. He tried not to look too eager as he dashed across the bright red, blue, and yellow alphabet rug toward his teacher’s desk. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “Did you call me?”
“I have something for you,” she answered quietly. She tugged the backpack from the shelf and extended one of the straps toward him.
Johnny’s brown eyes widened as he reached for it. Every Friday afternoon, he felt a gush of relief wash over him as his teacher handed him that “special” backpack — the one filled with food instead of homework papers or books from the library. The motel room where his family stayed only had a small fridge and microwave, so cooking meals over the weekend was always tricky. But that backpack made life so much easier.
Unzipping the bag, he peeked inside. His mouth watered. There were colorful juice boxes, bags of potato chips, granola bars with chocolate pieces, mini boxes of cereal for breakfast, cans of peaches, squeezable applesauce, and Chef Boyardee ravioli and lasagna with little rings he could pull open all by himself.
His teacher leaned closer and whispered, “I made sure they packed extra… just in case you share with your little brothers and big sister again.”
Johnny zipped the backpack and slid a strap over each shoulder. Though the weight of the food — enough to sustain him for several days — pressed against his tiny spine, his shoulders straightened and he felt at least three inches taller as he walked to his desk.
Backpacks similar to the one Johnny received are available to children enrolled in Bedford County schools thanks to private and corporate donations, local businesses, churches, a grant through Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, the United Way, and federal funding through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. It costs between $7 and $10 to fill each backpack with nutritious food, but this ensures no child goes hungry.
A small army of volunteers gathers to sort, pack, and prepare the food. Many never meet the children they serve, yet they show up faithfully, knowing that a simple bag of snacks and meals can make a weekend feel steadier for a child in need.
Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Supervisor for Bedford County Schools, Lindsay Wiley, said, “Children are happy to receive snacks and meals for the weekend. Children look forward to having their backpacks because they have less stress and less worry regarding what they will eat while not in school. Parents are thankful for the support, and teachers are grateful knowing their students are supported for the weekend.”
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children are considered homeless if they are staying with relatives, living in tents, campgrounds, cars, motels, shelters, transitional or emergency housing, or other temporary arrangements due to financial or other hardships. This qualifies them to receive a backpack. They may also receive one if parents or caregivers request they be added to the program, or if a social worker, school counselor, or their teacher makes a request.
In a county where many families work long hours yet still struggle to cover rising housing and other costs, food insecurity often remains hidden. When a need is discovered or help is requested, teachers and counselors see the difference these backpacks make. Children are more focused, more rested, and better able to learn because their basic needs were met throughout the weekend.
“Food bags are placed in a backpack that is not identifiable as food support,” Wiley said.
“The Backpack Program continues to grow, and there are increased needs in food support. There has also been an increase in the price of food to fill the backpacks. Contributions to the program can be made by volunteering to fill the backpacks, making a donation toward the purchase of food, or through advocacy for this program to continue.”
Hunger isn’t always visible. A child may laugh with friends or raise their hand in class while quietly carrying worries far too heavy for them, even as they try to focus on learning. The backpacks that students like Johnny receive each Friday lighten that load, offering not just food, but reassurance that someone in their community cares.
Wiley said, “There are more children in Bedford County who need help with nutrition — more children than are noticed. Through this initiative, we hope to fight hunger and unite to meet the needs of children. It takes a village, and we have a great village here in Bedford County.” GN
For more information, reach out to your school counselor or go to www.bedfordk12tn.com.
