On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Golden Harvest Food Bank posted this feature on their Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/GoldenHarvestFoodBank)
At Burke County Family Connection, Teresa Carter sees firsthand what the Backpack Program means for local children and families.
Through this partnership with Golden Harvest Food Bank, 50 children in Burke County receive backpack snacks each week, helping make sure they have food to take home over the weekend. The program serves students in Early Head Start, Head Start, and Waynesboro Primary School, reaching families who may need a little extra support when school meals are not available.
Teresa shared that the impact is easy to see. Children look forward to Fridays and often remind their teachers not to forget their backpack food before the school day ends. Parents are grateful, too, especially during times when grocery budgets are stretched thin.
“These backpacks help a child eat,” Teresa said. “They are making sure children don’t go hungry.”
What stands out most is how this program meets families where they are. Some parents even reach out directly to ask when the program will begin because they already know how much it helps. School counselors, teachers, and staff work together to identify students who could benefit most, making sure support reaches the children who need it.
For Teresa, this work is deeply personal. She remembers walking classroom to classroom as a site coordinator and seeing children’s faces light up when they received their bags. Today, that same excitement continues and serves as a reminder that something as simple as easy-to-open breakfast and snack items can make a real difference for a child.
She also shared her gratitude for the people who make the program possible: “I really want to thank Golden Harvest Food Bank and all of the volunteers because they are making a difference in the lives of our children and our families.”
Because of your generosity, children in Burke County head into the weekend with food, comfort, and care.