Each Thursday afternoon students at Thomas County Central High School take time to assemble food packages.

These packages are distributed on Fridays to high school students who are at risk of not having food over the weekend and during school breaks through the Backpack Buddies program.

Backpack Buddies is a program to provide food to students who are on free and reduced lunch, according to Odyssey of the Mind sponsor Kimsey Hodge, whose students volunteer to pack the bags.

“Our program sends a backpack full of food home with the student on Friday afternoons to ensure that the student is eating decent meals and receiving proper nutrition,” she said.

The group that packs the backpacks at the high school is an extension, or side group, of OM called Odyssey Angels, Hodge explained. They help with this program as a way of serving their community.

“I am so glad I am able to help with Backpack Buddies,” participant Alexis Bergozza said. “It is so rewarding knowing that I am doing something good for the community.”

Second Harvest of Southwest Georgia provides the food and First Baptist Church of Thomasville donates the bags.

Students who are a part of Odyssey Angels have been packing bags since August. Each week 5-10 students prepare the bags to be sent off on Friday. Hodge said the program currently serves 15-20 students per week.

Any student who would like to participate in packing the bags is welcome and can help by contacting Mrs. Kimsey Hodge on A Hall.

“My favorite thing about sponsoring Backpack Buddies is knowing that students will not go hungry on the weekends,” Hodge said.