School Support Interest Meeting
September 1st | 5:30pm | Horn Lake Campus
DREAM Backpack
For some students in our community, the meals they receive at school are the only meals they can count on. When the weekend arrives, it can bring more anxiety than rest. The DREAM Backpack program bridges that gap.
Each week, backpacks are lovingly packed with easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly meals and snacks, giving students something to count on when school is out. Bags are tailored by grade level and discreetly delivered so kids leave for the weekend with food in hand and dignity intact.
No child should carry the burden of hunger, and with the help of local schools, volunteers, and community partners, we make sure they don’t have to.
How It Works
Every week, volunteers lovingly fill backpacks with nutritious food and small encouragements. These backpacks are delivered directly to schools, where they are quietly given to students who need them most—preserving their dignity while meeting their needs.
What’s Inside a DREAM Backpack?
Each bag is packed with a balanced variety of:
Protein items (tuna, peanut butter, or soup)
Fruits and vegetables
Breakfast options
Snacks
Occasional gifts or encouraging notes
Backpacks are tailored by grade level to ensure age-appropriate portions and food types.
Beyond the Bag – Building Connection
How you can help:
Sponsor a child ($50/month covers one student’s food for a month)
Donate food items like individual servings of pasta, oatmeal, fruit cups, and snacks
Volunteer to pack and pray over bags or write encouraging notes- These points of personal connection remind every child that they are seen, valued, and supported. Through our Champion Model, we meet both physical and emotional needs:
Staff Champions – Identify students in need
School Champions – Ensure backpacks arrive each week
Student Champions – Pray for and encourage students with notes and treats
Our Vision for the Future
Our goal is to see a DREAM Backpack program in every school in DeSoto County where students are at risk of weekend hunger. One backpack at a time, we’re not just filling bellies, we’re fueling futures. Will you partner with us in this important work?
School Support Interest Meeting | September 1st | 5:30pm | Horn Lake Campus
Behind every student we serve is a team of volunteers making it possible.
If you're looking for a meaningful way to serve, we'd love to invite you to our School Support Volunteer Interest Meeting.
Come learn how you can make a tangible impact through the DeSoto County Dream Center's DREAM Closet and DREAM Backpack programs. These essential ministries help ensure students have access to clothing, food, and other basic necessities so they can focus on learning and thriving.
Whether you're interested in organizing donations and packing weekend food bags at our Horn Lake campus, stocking closet shelves or delivering food-filled backpacks to schools throughout the county, there's a place for you on our School Support Dream Team.
During the meeting, you'll learn about:
The DREAM Backpack Program
Our network of DREAM Closets in local schools
Volunteer opportunities and schedules
What to expect as a School Support volunteer
How your service helps meet the practical needs of students and families throughout DeSoto County