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KCUCares Foundation Supports Backpack Feeding Programs Across the Region
At Kitsap Credit Union, we often say, “Together it’s possible,” and our KCUCares Foundation is proud to bring those words to life. Last week, we were pleased to host our annual Backpack Feeding event, supporting 11 incredible Backpack Feeding Programs across Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, and Jefferson counties. This year, KCUCares donated $66,000 to help provide nutrition assistance to students outside of school hours—a critical need in our community.
Backpack Feeding Programs play a vital role in ensuring children have access to healthy meals even when school isn’t in session. Hunger shouldn’t hold a student back, and these programs provide the support families need. We’re proud to partner with these local organizations, and you can help too!
Meet the Programs Making a Difference
There are so many organizations doing incredible work in our community. Meet the 11 Backpack Feeding programs supported by the KCUCares Foundation that are making a difference in our region:
Backpack Feeding Programs play a vital role in ensuring children have access to healthy meals even when school isn’t in session. Hunger shouldn’t hold a student back, and these programs provide the support families need. We’re proud to partner with these local organizations, and you can help too!
Meet the Programs Making a Difference
There are so many organizations doing incredible work in our community. Meet the 11 Backpack Feeding programs supported by the KCUCares Foundation that are making a difference in our region:
- Food Backpack 4 Kids – located in Gig Harbor, Food Backpack 4 Kids envisions a community where every child is well-fed, can achieve their full potential, and where no family is food insecure. They offer a variety of services including Food Backpacks, a Family Pantry, Family Resource center, Food 4 All, Care Cupboards, and Home Delivery.
- How to get involved: Whether you’re looking to make a monetary donation, donate food, host a food drive, or volunteer your time, Food Backpacks 4 Kids has a place for you. Get involved today.
- North Mason Coalition of Churches & Community – This group of volunteers provides Food Backpacks for Kids and is located in Belfair. Monetary donations can be mailed to PO Box 1331, Belfair, WA 98528.
- Backpacks for Kids – Established in 2007, this program fills more than 350 backpacks with food for students who rely on free or reduced-price meals in the South Kitsap School District.
- How to get involved: Monetary and food donations are welcome. Learn how you can support Backpacks for Kids.
- ShareNet – ShareNet’s Food to Grow On program delivers over 100 backpacks of nutritious food to kids whose counselors referred them to the program every scheduled week of the school year in Kingston public schools. Families can enroll in the free program through their local school office or by self-referring at 360-297-2266.
- How to get involved: Food to Grow On accepts monetary donations and ShareNet is open to volunteers, food drives, and more. Learn more.
- North Kitsap Fishline – North Kitsap Fishline’s Food for Thought Program was created to help eliminate food insecurity by providing children with the food they need to be their best selves. Food bags are distributed to schools in the North Kitsap Fishline service area.
- How to get involved: The Food for Thought Program accepts donation to the North Kitsap Fishline food bank during operating hours as well as monetary donations. There are also volunteer and food drive opportunities at North Kitsap Fishline. Get involved today.
- Bremerton Backpack Brigade – This program aims to bridge the gap that Bremerton’s children face in having access to healthy food for the weekends. They provide backpacks of nutritious food for elementary school kids in Bremerton every weekend.
- How to get involved: Bremerton Backpack Brigade is looking for volunteers and donations, plus it always helps to spread the word about their program. Get involved.
- Central Kitsap Food Backpacks 4 Kids – This program provides supplemental meals each weekend throughout the school year to students in the Central Kitsap School District who are at risk for weekend hunger. Central Kitsap Food Backpacks 4 Kids proudly serves 200 families by providing over 6,000 meals per year.
- How to get involved: Whether you are looking to volunteer, fundraise, or make donation, Central Kitsap Food Backpacks 4 Kids has a place for you. Learn how to get involved.
- Chimacum Backpacks for Kids – Focused on providing meals and support to children at risk in the community, Chimacum Backpacks for Kids provides meals to students in primary, elementary, high school, and flexible learning over the weekend.
- How to get involved: Make a monetary donation or volunteer your time today. Learn how.
- Jefferson County YMCA – Dedicated to making sure that children and teens in the community are receiving enough food the Youth & Family School Break Food Program created various pop-up sites where pre-registered families with children ages 0-18, who live in East Jefferson County, can get food boxes and grocery vouchers/gift cards.
- How to get involved: Volunteer with the YMCA team or make a donation to help fund the program. Get involved.
- United Way of Pierce County – Their program, Power Packs, provides backpacks filled with nutritious food to children in the free and reduced lunch program on weekends and school breaks.
- How to get involved: Help by hosting a food drive, volunteering to pack backpacks, and more. Get involved today.
- Parkway Community Services – Parkway Community Services has created a weekly Backpack Program to help children in need in the community. They also offer food bank services, and more.
- How to get involved: Reach out to Parkway Community Services at 253-535-1293 to see how you can get involved.
There are many great ways to get involved with local programs like these during this season of giving. Whether that’s donating funds or supplies, volunteering your time, hosting a food drive, or spreading the word about the importance of supporting their cause. Every contribution, big or small, helps ensure students in our region have access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive.
Together, it’s possible to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families across our community. Find the program nearest you and see how you can get involved today!
November 12, 2025