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Educational Support ServicesNon Profit Organizations
About Us
Backpacks for Berrien was founded in 2015. It became a 501 (c) (3) in early 2020.
The goal is to enable local students to achieve academic success year round. This is done by raising funds for two purposes. One purpose is to provide school supplies and backpacks each fall for students in need who attend schools in Berrien Springs. All public and parochial schools are served. A second purpose of the program is to provide weekend food to any families that request the help.
In 2020, we provided 159 backpacks with school supplies to children in grades K-12 and in 2023, we provided over 300 backpacks filled with school supplies.
As many as 2/3 of the 2000 students in Berrien Springs schools face food challenges. We are currently serving 96 students each weekend. We provide them with two snacks, two breakfast items, and two lunch items. These items must be shelf-stable, individualized portions that are easy-to-open.
