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?
