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The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) is partnering with the Souris Valley United Way in providing a $15,000 challenge grant to support and grow the Backpack Buddies Program. Funding was made possible by the PPREP Community Foundation Disaster Fund, a project of the Funders Network, of which the Minot Area Community Foundation is a part.
The Backpack Buddies program was started in 2014 to address the issue of food insecurity among school-aged children by providing nutritious meals to students over weekends and holidays. As of Nov. 1, Backpack Buddies is providing food for 437 children in 11 local schools.
"Food insecurity due to ongoing and rising inflation is a critical issue in our community," said Jason Zimmerman, MACF president. "Collaborating with the Souris Valley United Way through this challenge grant will allow Backpack Buddies to leverage additional dollars and have a greater and more lasting impact on the lives of our youth."
The funding will specifically help purchase and stock additional food and supplies to accommodate the increase in enrolled students, purchase shelving and totes for storage for the additional items and provide the opportunity for continued collaboration with local schools to identify and reach out to students in need.
"When we unite our efforts, our capacity for creating a more significant impact multiplies. The partnership between Souris Valley United Way and Minot Area Community Foundation serves as an exemplary model of collaboration, with two organizations joining forces to address a critical issue within our community" said Christy Miller, executive director of Souris Valley United Way.