Volunteer Makes a Difference With Backpack Buddy Program At Kujawa Elementary School

Danielle Hicks, a volunteer at Kujawa Elementary School, wanted to make a difference in the lives of students. Hicks who has served as a volunteer in Lisa Memmelaar’s classroom the last couple of years decided she would assist with the Backpack Buddy program. The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy program works to provide children with meals for the weekend to ensure they don’t go home hungry. On Fridays, at participating schools and other locations, children take home child-friendly, nonperishable, easily consumed and vitamin-fortified food. Teachers nominate students who they feel would benefit from the program. The food is given to the children discreetly, to avoid inviting unwanted attention. Carla Smith, counselor at Kujawa Elementary, oversees the program at the campus.

“One day, I found myself at work thinking about the Backpack Buddy program at the campus,” said Hicks. “It brought me great joy to know that the campus staff members were going out of their way to help students in need.

“That is when the idea to coordinate a fundraiser to help popped into my head.”

Hicks organized a fundraiser at her workplace, David Weekley Homes, as well as received donations from family members and friends. The efforts raised nearly $500. Hicks delivered 65 mesh backpacks for students to carry books and 40 colored backpacks for the Backpack Buddy program at the campus.

“Kujawa Elementary and the Backpack Buddy program have both inspired me greatly,” stated Hicks. “It really moves you to see that something so small means the world to many children.”

Kim Corrick, assistant principal at Kujawa Elementary, is grateful to volunteers such as Hicks.

“This is just one example of what our volunteers do to help our students,” said Corrick. “Danielle went out of her way to organize a fundraiser at her workplace to raise funds to help our students. Everyone at Kujawa Elementary is very thankful for the support.”

Pictured (l-r) are Carla Smith, Principal Debera Thomas and Danielle Hicks.