Every child deserves to dream about their future and not worry about their next meal. Yet, in our community, the Boomerang Backpacks program at Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) faces a pivotal moment as it works to restore vital weekend food assistance to all elementary students in need.
"In every classroom, there are bright young minds who should be focusing on learning, playing, and growing – not wondering where their next meal will come from," shares Jeri Purdy, Boomerang Backpack Board Member. "We have an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in these children's lives."
The program currently provides weekend nutrition for K-4 students. Still, with community support to bridge a $20,000 funding gap, Boomerang Backpacks can restore services to all K-6 students and provide critical assistance during school breaks. Every dollar contributed represents another meal, another worry lifted, another child who can focus on being a kid.
Building on this mission, JoElla Hauselman, Principal of Edgewood Middle School, has launched "Together We Feed Them All," an inspiring district-wide initiative ensuring no WCS family goes hungry during extended breaks. Intending to raise $30,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, Together We Feed Them All complements Boomerang Backpacks to create a safety net of care throughout the school year.
"When we come together as a community, incredible things happen," says Joella Hauselman. "Every backpack we fill, every meal we provide, sends a powerful message to our children: you matter, you are cared for, and your community stands with you."
The impact of these programs extends far beyond nutrition – they nurture hope, build community, and teach the next generation about the power of service and philanthropy. Their shared mission echoes the program's heartfelt motto: "Helping to fight childhood hunger one Boomerang Backpack at a time."
You can be part of this transformative movement:
Make a direct donation that immediately helps feed local children here for Together We Feed Them All: https://donate.stripe.com/aEU6qS8Ww9Cn7yU000
Volunteer your time and witness the impact firsthand
Become a corporate sponsor and champion change in our community with Boomerang
Organize a food drive to stock our shelves with hope
Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to ensuring no child in our community goes hungry. Together, we can write a story of hope, one backpack and one box at a time.
To join this vital mission or learn more, please contact Jeri Purdy (jeri.purdy@gmail.com) for Boomerang Backpacks or JoElla Hauselman (jhauselman@warsawschools.org) for Together We Feed Them All.
About Boomerang Backpacks: Boomerang Backpacks embodies the spirit of community care, providing weekend food assistance to elementary students while inspiring the next generation through service and philanthropy. When we feed a child, we nourish our entire community's future.