The Brookings Backpack Project has announced that Giving Tuesday will take place Nov. 28, when the organization will collaborate with South Dakota Gives to request donations to support the Backpack Project.

Brookings Backpack Project works to provide easy-to-prepare meals and snacks to children who are challenged with food insecurity. Brookings Backpack Project is leading the fight against food insecurity for area children, not only in the Brookings School District, but also Elkton and Sioux Valley, as well as Head Start.

This non-profit organization is dedicated to making sure that no child in our community goes hungry, especially on weekends when access to regular school meals is not available. They understand easy access to nutritious meals and snacks is essential for a child’s well-being and their ability to focus on learning and growing.

Here’s how it works:

• Weekend meal packs: Brookings Backpack Project volunteers prepare and distribute weekend meal packs filled with easy-to-prepare and kid-friendly meals. These packs contain items like canned soups, pancake mix, pasta, milk, and juice.
• Snack options: In addition to meals, we include a variety of healthy snacks like granola bars, fruit cups, and cereal, ensuring that children have options for satisfying their hunger throughout the weekend.
• Convenience and dignity: We strive to make the process as convenient and respectful as possible for families. The meal packs are discreetly distributed to children in need to protect their dignity and privacy.
• Community support: Brookings Backpack Project is made possible through the generous support of our community members, volunteers, and sponsors who believe in the importance of ensuring no child goes hungry.

By providing these easy meals and snacks, Brookings Backpack Project helps to alleviate food insecurity among children, promoting their overall well-being, health, and success. We firmly believe that by addressing this basic need, we can empower our community’s children to thrive and reach their full potential.

Join us in making a difference on or before Nov. 28 by contributing to this worthy cause. Together, we can ensure that children in our community have the food they need to sustain and to succeed.

If you want to support Brookings Backpack Project’s mission or learn more about our program, reach out to us on Facebook or call 605-696-9331. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our community’s children — #ForSouthDakota, @ForSouthDakota.

We have a matching donor.

Thank you to Ben Knutzen, DDS, for agreeing to be a matching donor of our South Dakota Day of Giving campaign. Knutzen Family Dentistry will match gifts dollar for dollar up to $2,000. This will double your donation and help us provide easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for children who experience food insecurity.

Donations can be mailed to Brookings Backpack Project, P.O. Box 8054, Brookings, SD 57006 or processed online at www.brookingsbackpackproject.org. All donations from Nov. 7-28 will be designated as South Dakota Day of Giving gifts.