Heart Information

Our goal is to provide children in need with weekly food backpacks over the weekend and holidays. Some children living in economically disadvantaged areas within Anne Arundel County are dependent on receiving breakfast and lunch from school. We serve children who receive free or reduced lunch. Food insecurity is a significant need in Anne Arundel County. In our county, 16,440 children (12.91%) live in food insecure households based on 2018 statistics from Feeding America (feedingamerica.com) with higher rates in the areas we serve: Brooklyn Park at 19.2% (congressional district 2), and Eastport and Glen Burnie at 14.1% (congressional district 3). Forty percent of these children live in households that are likely ineligible for federal nutrition programs. Nutrition is an important component of the physical development of children and one of the primary factors of a child's academic success. Children from food insecure households are more likely to lag behind in academic development when compared to other children. Services from the Heart, Backpack Buddies Program is an all volunteer organization and a labor of love for board members and the dedicated team of volunteers who collect or purchase food, pack, and then deliver food each week to the three elementary schools that we serve. Our Goals are to reduce food insecurity, meet individual student special food needs, and provide opportunities for community volunteers. As we assist children with meeting their basic and essential needs such as food, we also open the doors of opportunity allowing them to flourish and progress as happy, healthy individuals.