Bremerton Backpack Brigade
Providing Weekend Food Support for Hungry Children
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What We Do
Each week during the school year, volunteers fill backpacks with practical kid friendly foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables. Those backpacks are then delivered to the schools, where the staff discreetly distributes them to the students enrolled in the program. The students return the backpacks to their school on Mondays, to be picked up and refilled for the following weekend.
We are endorsed by the Bremerton School District, governed by a Board of Directors, supported by local businesses & civic organizations, as well as many individuals.Our work is facilitated by volunteers.
The Bremerton Backpack Brigade exists to provide a supplemental food source on weekends for children in need throughout the eight Bremerton Elementary schools, including West Hills Restorative and Catalyst Public schools.
Programs like ours have been shown to increase attendance, decrease behavior problems, improve concentration abilities and improve academic achievement.
The Backpack Brigade is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3
What's in the Backpacks?
Though the contents of our backpacks and "Take Home" bags change weekly based on the food products we have available to us at any given time, a typical backpack/bag contains the following items:
Canned Chicken/Tuna
Apples, Oranges & Bananas
“Helper” Meals
Carrots, Broccoli & Tomatoes
Macaroni & Cheese
Fruit cup/Pudding cup
Chili/Refried Beans
Popcorn
Hot or Cold cereal
Hot Cocoa & Apple Cider Mix Packets
Canned Vegetables/Fruit
Soup
Granola Bars
Why We Do This
Over 65% of the students enrolled in Bremerton elementary schools are on the subsidized lunch program.
Due to homelessness, financial struggles and an array of other issues prevalent today, food provided at school often make up the most nutritious meals children will receive all day. For some, those meals may be the only ones they will receive that day.
Area teachers are increasingly concerned at the growing number of students arriving to school each Monday morning, hungry. This is where we come in.
The Bremerton Backpack Brigade exists to address that concern!