Food for Kids…

Hope for Families

Bags of Hope seeks to bring hope to the Lake Norman and greater Charlotte area by supplying free weekend food provisions to school children who experience food insecurity.

Get Involved

How We Help

Bags of Hope works with Lake Norman and greater Charlotte area schools

33 schools

Students Served

Each weekend of the school year, an average of 735 students received a food bag containing 3 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2-3 servings of fruits, 2 servings of vegetables and 5 snacks. In addition, students receive extended break bags of food over Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break.

Find Your School

Food Insecurity in the Lake Norman and greater Charlotte area

Issue

Students experiencing hunger due to inadequate nutrition may suffer from impaired concentration and learning, social and behavioral problems, and even threatened health and development.

School Meals

Many of the students we serve receive free or reduced-price school meals, ensuring adequate nutrition during school hours (which include breakfast and lunch).

Weekend Gap

However, some students find food less available at home. Between Friday and Monday, children may miss some or all meals. Bags of Hope fills this gap to ensure students are well-fed, well-rested and ready to learn Monday morning.

Numbers

Nearly 50% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg school students qualify for free meals. At 5 out of the 33 schools we serve, more than 50% of students are at risk for food insecurity: First Ward Creative Arts Academy, Niner University, Ranson Middle School, Reid Park Elementary and Winding Springs Elementary.

School Year

Impact Report

Nothing tells the story better than the numbers… These numbers represent the problem of food insecurity for local students and the generosity of individuals, groups and local businesses in our community coming together to provide food and HOPE to families.

UP TO

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STUDENTS

Received weekend and extended break bags of food during school year.

26% increase over last year.

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SCHOOLS

Served in 3 counties – Mecklenburg, Iredell, & Cabarrus.

16% increase over last year.

196416′ data-max=’200495

LBS

Of food distributed to children in need throughout the school year.

10% increase over last year

20800′ data-max=’24713

FOOD BAGS

Distributed to individual students throughout the school year.

18% increase over last year.

92600′ data-max=’96726

LBS

Of food donated from individuals, groups and businesses in our generous community.

57% increase over last year.

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PACKING EVENTS

Held at our warehouse; utilizing 100-150 volunteers on a weekly basis throughout the school year.

Mission

Make a Difference with Bags of Hope

Give Time

Serve Your
Neighbors

Packing Events at the warehouse are a blast for adults, kids, individuals and groups of employees! Volunteers are also needed to deliver bags to schools, represent Bags of Hope at community events and more. There are many fun ways to get involved!

Get Involved

Give Back

Be Generous

Monetary gifts and food donations are critical to the mission of Bags of Hope. Students are fed and hope is provided to families through the generosity of our neighbors … like YOU!

Donate

Give Hope

Support Food Drives

Donate food to restock our warehouse at the beginning of the school year or provide larger bags of food and grocery store gift cards for students to have over extended breaks from school. Join our community-wide efforts to provide much needed food for local students.

Our Impact

Feedback from Schools,
Students, and Parents

Thank you to the people that have helped me with the food backpack. It means a lot to me that you guys have helped me with food and snacks, and, let me say, they were quite delicious!
Student, Blythe Elementary

Thank you so much for the food. The bags may not seem like a lot, but it's a lot to me. Thank you.
Parent, Niner University

I work at Hough now, and I know the same high school student who received a bag when he was in kindergarten. He is thriving and looking ahead into the future.
School staff, Bags of Hope Volunteer, William A. Hough High School

Thank you to the people that have helped me with the food backpack. It means a lot to me that you guys have helped me with food and snacks, and, let me say, they were quite delicious!
Student, Blythe Elementary

Thank you so much for the food. The bags may not seem like a lot, but it's a lot to me. Thank you.
Parent, Niner University

I work at Hough now, and I know the same high school student who received a bag when he was in kindergarten. He is thriving and looking ahead into the future.
School staff, Bags of Hope Volunteer, William A. Hough High School

Thank You

Corporate Donors and Partners

Funding from these grant partners helps make it possible for us to have the resources needed to provide for each student in our program and also to never have to turn away a new student in need.