Bill’s Backpacks received much needed donations from Atmos Energy and Smith Ford in October to help feed LISD youth who might otherwise go hungry on weekends.
Michael Palma and Atmos Energy on Oct. 27 presented the organization with $3,000 donation; and Smith Ford delivered 750 pounds of food earlier in October.
Bill’s Backpacks, founded by Tracy Barker, is making a difference in the Levelland community to ensure the youth don’t go hungry.
With more than 70 percent of students in Levelland ISD reported to be receiving free or reduced breakfast and lunch, plus a hot meal after school at four campuses, Bill’s Backpacks fills in some of the food gaps on weekends.
The program, named after Barker’s late brother, began over lunch with friends when she inquired about local students going hungry. Within three weeks, 30 students were identified, donations gathered, groceries were gathered and sacks assembled for the Christmas break. The project quickly grew the next eight years to serve approximately 180 students on six campuses, with the cost rising to more than $30,000 to cover the weekends.
Now, each week, sacks are assembled and taken to each campus, with each student receiving 10 items that are child-friendly and ready to eat. This past week, high school and junior high students , All Star Basketball, LHS Student Council and the Levelland Ladies Golf (Lady Lucks ) Association came together to pack 600 bags in 30 minutes.
The organization accepts food donations and does a food drive request every month at United Supermarket for shoppers who pick up a few extra items. Items can also be dropped at College Avenue Animal Clinic, AIM Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, LISD administration and campuses. Monetary donations can be brought to the LISD administration office or be mailed to PO Box 974, Levelland, TX 79336, which helps with bulk purchasing.
The project also welcomes volunteers to work at the entrances at United once a month to collect donations, as well as helping prepare packs each week for delivery.