Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island

Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island (BPBSI) has been helping feed hungry children at designated schools in Charleston County since 2014.  These children, identified by school counselors, typically qualify for free breakfast and lunch during the school day but are food insecure on weekends and school holidays.  We provide a bag of nutritious food to fill this gap.

A typical weekend bag consists of 3 proteins, 2 breakfast items, milk, 4-6 snacks such as granola bars, 2 fruit cups and a fresh apple or orange. Currently BPBSI is providing a weekend “backpack” of food to 200 children at three schools.  Our volunteers assist with weekly shopping, packing and delivering “backpacks” to schools.

When Charleston County Schools shut down last March due to Covid-19 we all were concerned for these families.  Many live in households without transportation. We were able to reach many families with the help of dedicated school representatives and local churches. School opened last September with many safety restrictions but we have been able to continue our mission.  Our numbers are increasing as more children are attending in-school instruction and families are still struggling financially.

Our success is possible due to the outpouring of support from our community.  The average cost per child each school year is $250. Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and relies totally on donations, grants and fundraisers. We are an all-volunteer organization and pay no salaries.  Contact us at: backpackbuddiesseabrookisland@gmail.com

$100,000 Goal of the “Mike Gorski and Friends 2021 Challenge” for Backpack Buddies. Just call or text Mike Gorski at 864-316-3894 to make a donation.

YES HE’S BACK AGAIN with MORE FRIENDS than ever before!  He will definitely need them because this year Mike has set the goal at $100,000. All donations will be matched dollar for dollar by Mike’s “Friends”. The Challenge directly benefits Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island and the Backpack Buddies Group of Kiawah Women’s Foundation.  

Mike Gorski, Owner of Island Transportation, launched this project 5 years ago to help raise funds for both Backpack Buddies’ programs.

The Covid-19 Crisis has brought unique challenges to every organization, especially to groups whose mission is to fight hunger like the Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island and the Backpack Buddies of Kiawah Women’s Foundation. Our two organizations are both 501(c) 3 nonprofits whose mission is to feed local, hungry school children.  These children receive breakfast and lunch at school but are food insecure on weekends and school holidays.  We are currently providing approximately 400 weekly bags to children each week.  At the request, of community social workers, we are also assisting 30 of the most “at risk” of hunger households with weekly large family bags of groceries.  As more students begin to go back to in-school instruction, we anticipate our weekly bag count to reach 600 plus level.

Making a donation is very easy. Just call or text Mike Gorski at 864-316-3894 and tell him your donation amount. He will provide all of the details for the different ways that you can make your donation.

Thank you in advance for your support and please don’t forget to get your donation matched dollar-for-dollar by making your donation by March 31, 2021.

We are off to a great 2019-2020 School year! Thanks to our loyal supporters and volunteers, we are providing weekend “backpacks” to 140 children each week. Thank You!