BROOKINGS — The Mission of the Month at the Mission Coffeehouse at First Lutheran Church for May is Brookings Backpack Project.

The Brookings Backpack Project was founded in 2009 by the Brookings United Church of Christ with the support of the Brookings public schools and Brookings Head Start. Working with school staff and many community partners, BBP assists children and youth who are at risk of hunger by providing them with nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for weekends and school vacations during the academic year.

By helping to sustain these students until school resumes, BBP not only serves their nutritional needs but also promotes their physical, cognitive and social development, and enhances their overall sense of well-being. BBP offers this service at no charge.