Children & families
BackPack Buddies
Food that goes home with children who need it.
Running for the 26–27 school year
Serve
What it is
BackPack Buddies is food that goes home with children who need it. Through this ministry, Herbert Memorial UMC helps neighbors beyond the walls of our sanctuary — one bag at a time.
Food or money is welcome for the 26–27 school year.
In action
See the ministry
From Kensington Elementary to bags ready for delivery, this is BackPack Buddies at work.
Packing bags together
Kensington Elementary School
Notes of encouragement on every bag
Ready for delivery
Beyond our walls
Who we serve
We serve Kensington Elementary School. Right now that means 20 kids, 2 meals a week each — 40 meals total each week.
Each meal includes a lunch, breakfast, snack, fruit, and drink.
At a glance
Kensington Elementary School
School we serve
20 kids · 40 meals / week
2 meals a week for each child
Lunch, breakfast, snack, fruit, drink
What goes in each meal
Invite & grow
How to help
You can sponsor an item weekly, every other week, or once a month — or sponsor a meal online. Either way helps fill the bags.
Weekly
Every other week
Once a month
Sponsor a Meal
Give online with Tithe.ly and select the BackPack Buddies fund.
Needed items
Here is the current list for packing, from The Pulse, October 2026. Every item helps fill a bag. Thank you!
- Bottled Water8 oz · 15-count pack
- Hugs Juice8 oz · 40-count pack
- Oatmeal Packsstore brand · 20-count pack
- Breakfast Barsstore brand · 32-count pack
- Applesaucestore brand individual servings · 6-count pack
- Fruit Cupsstore brand individual servings · 12-count pack
- Fruit Snacksstore brand · 40-count pack
- Rice Crispy Treats40-count pack
- Ramen Noodles12-count pack
- SpaghettiOspop-top · 4-count pack
- Vienna Sausagepop-top · 12-count pack
- Water Flavor Packs30-count pack
- Brown Paper Lunch Bagsgiant · 50-count pack
A few helpful notes
- Canned items must have pop-top lids so the kids can open them.
- All items are multi-packs.
- Drop-off: Leave donations in the church kitchen, clearly marked “BackPack Buddies.”
Point of contact
Talk with Julie Wicker
Questions about sponsoring an item, bringing food, or giving toward BackPack Buddies? Julie Wicker is glad to help.
Keep exploring
See more of how Herbert Memorial UMC invites, grows, and serves — or give as you are able.