Though spring has sprung, there’s still a little chill in the air. But volunteerism is one way Thomas County Central High School students are spreading warmth.
TCCHS Service Learning Coordinator Stann McLeod is a significant part of helping teach students how to serve their community while acquiring an education. One way he does this is through fostering participation in Backpack Buddies.
Backpack Buddies is a private, nonprofit organization that helps relieve weekend hunger among students in Thomas County schools. Beginning in January of 2011, only starting with 10 backpacks, the foundation has expanded to preparing more than 250 backpacks each week.
Ashley Finch, one of two program coordinators, states that in the past school year, there were 9,000 bags given to students and at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, there were around 244 people that donated more than $30,000 for Backpack Buddies.
“At the school level, teachers and counselors identify children that are hungry and let the school contact person know,” Finch said. “We try our best to make sure students on the list are truly in need.”
Tracy Zolt, another program coordinator, makes the program click each week. She greets volunteers with gratitude for their support and willingness to serve. She takes the time at the beginning of each weekly activity to inform volunteers about the community’s need for the program.
Finch, who does more of the behind the scenes tasks, is responsible for keeping student records and works with local sponsors. The food for the backpacks is purchased from the Second Harvest for around 21 cents per pound. This means the weekly bags are approximately $2 each when it comes to pack them and give them out. The money donated is used for the program itself.
Volunteer opportunities for Backpack Buddies occur every Wednesday after school at the Thomas County Board of Education complex. After a brief prayer, assembly lines are formed to pack food items into the backpacks. Students also get to work with other local volunteers.
McLeod’s intention for participating students is to help them learn how to make an impact through action. The goal is to have approximately 20-25 student volunteers weekly.
“While we can get by with a smaller number, the overall impact of the service project is enhanced when more students are participating and becoming aware of this particular need in our community,” McLeod said.
TCCHS volunteer Abigail Witcher enjoys being able to provide meals to people in need and says that’s what keeps her coming back.
“I originally joined Backpack Buddies because it was an easy way to earn community service hours weekly...,” Witcher said. “I began to really enjoy my time spent there.”
Participation in the program has positively impacted Witcher. It touches her heart seeing the kids who get the backpacks and knowing they will have food. The program has also helped her develop friendships with other volunteers.
Witcher encourages students to join Backpack Buddies, not only for the service hours but also for the experience of putting service before self.
“Backpack Buddies is not just a ‘one and done’ volunteer experience,” she said. “What stands out to me is that you actually have the opportunity to participate every single week.”
McLeod says there’s still time for volunteers to take part in this opportunity before the school year ends. Interested students may contact him in the school’s guidance office.
"This school year has been another banner year for TCCHS students performing community service,” he said. “It is estimated students have already served more than 2,600 total hours."