Author: Ryan Hill
From left to right are Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Food Drive Coordinator Laura Clay, DSS Nutrition Education and Outreach Coordinator Connie Dixon, DSS Deputy Director David Locklear, and DSS Contract Administrator Amber Perry.
Sept. 10, 2018 – The Division of Social Services’ Economic and Family Services section collected 292 pounds of food for the Inter-Faith Food Ministry, which supports programs that help feed low-income families through efforts like the Backpack Buddies.
“We wanted to promote positive initiatives within the community that provide vital resources to families,” said David Locklear, DSS Deputy Director for Economic and Family Services. “We were honored to help Backpack Buddies.”
The NC Department of Health and Human Services’ divisions of Social Services, Child Development and Early Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Controller’s Office all supported the food drive. Donations were collected from July 30 through Aug. 10 and included proteins, such as beans, canned fruits and vegetables, healthy snacks, noodles, breakfast items, milk and juice.
The donations went toward the ministry’s Backpack Buddies program, which provides children from food insecure households with healthy meals over the weekends. In Wake County, Backpack Buddies serves 2,400 children every week during the school year.
Children who can benefit from Backpack Buddies are identified by counselors and principals. Every Friday, participating children receive a bag with six meals and two snacks that are discreetly placed in their backpacks by school staff.
For more information on Inter-Faith Food Ministry and Backpack Buddies, go to www.foodshuttle.org.