The Backpack Blessings program provides nutritious, non-perishable food items to students each Friday to reduce weekend hunger and help prepare for Monday's learning in the classroom. Supported through a partnership with schools, volunteers, grants and individual donors, Backpack Blessings serves children throughout each school year.
Currently, the Backpack Blessings program serves students at the following Walker County and Chickamauga City School locations:
- Chattanooga Valley Elementary
- Chattanooga Valley Middle School
- Cherokee Ridge Elementary
- Chickamauga Elementary
- Gilbert Elementary
- Gordon Lee Middle School
- LaFayette Middle School
- Naomi Elementary
- North LaFayette Elementary
- Rossville Middle School
- Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle
The program also supports students attending these YMCA after school programs with weekend nutrition:
- YMCA at Cherokee Ridge Elementary
- YMCA at Rock Spring Elementary
- YMCA at Rossville Elementary
- YMCA at Saddle Ridge Elementary & Middle
- YMCA at Tiger Creek
- YMCA at West Side
- Link@The Y
Volunteers meet to pack meal bags on the scheduled Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. at Walker County Advancing Education Center. Volunteers are needed for monthly deliveries at 2 p.m. on specific dates. Enter the building at the lower parking lot closest to Highway 27.
2023-24 Backpack Blessings Meal & Delivery Schedule
If you would like to volunteer, please contact the YMCA. We encourage all volunteers to RSVP ahead of time so we can prepare to greet you when you arrive.
To RSVP:
706-935-2226
hungerfree@ymcachattanooga.org
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