Inside Duke Medicine
Duke Raleigh making Backpack Buddies
posted December 5th, 2008
Duke Raleigh Hospital’s 5th floor nursing staff and their children will be delivering backpacks to the Interfaith Food Shuttle on Dec. 22 as a part of the Backpack Buddies program.
Anyone interested in donating backpacks and canned goods (preferably pop top) should take them to the Duke Raleigh 5th floor staff lounge, where there is a large collection box for both backpacks and canned goods.
The 5th floor staff has adopted the Backpack Buddies as an ongoing project. The department adopts a school in need, and every 12 weekstakes the school 10-20 backpacks filled with goodies for children in need.
The Interfaith Food Shuttle Backpack Buddies program targets kids who receive free and reduced-price lunches at school, but need other nutritional support over the weekends.
Children from targeted neighborhoods and schools are identified, and receive backpacks loaded with appetizing healthy foods to last them over the weekend. Local corporations, civic groups and individuals help collect backpacks and the kid-friendly nonperishable food, and pack the bags for the children. Empty backpacks are collected, then refilled for the next weekend’s use.
For more information, contact Monette Mabolo, nurse manager for the 5th Floor at 954-3546.