Baker School District Donates Hummus to Baker City Backpack Program for Students

Baker School District 5J donated "a whole bunch of hummus" to the Baker City Backpack Program, and program volunteers said the containers will be included in students' weekend meal bags. Volunteers singled out Amanda and Steven from the district's Food Services team for the contribution, which the Backpack Program said helps support families in need.

The Backpack Program posted a written thank-you that reads, "Your contribution is helping ensure that more children in our community have access to healthy, nutritious food. This donation will go a long way in filling backpacks and supporting families who need it most." Program volunteers reported the hummus donation on their social feed and credited the district's Food Services staff for coordinating the drop-off.

The Baker City Backpack Program describes its mission as "We believe that no child should go hungry in our community" and notes it was established in 2010 to provide supplemental weekend food to students in the Baker 5J School District who are at risk and in need. The program's web presence lists its physical address at 1995 4th Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814, and contact points for volunteers and questions: Volunteer Coordinator Jess Defrees at 503.347.1919 and Karen Kolb-Schoeningh at 208.447.6953.

Volunteers said the donated hummus will be added to the non-perishable items packed for weekend backpacks, continuing the program's ongoing drives such as past "peanut butter drive" and other fundraising events cited on its site. The Backpack Program's materials emphasize volunteer recruitment and regular donations as core to keeping weekend bags stocked for students across Baker 5J schools.

District Food Services staff members Amanda and Steven were named specifically by program volunteers in public posts acknowledging the donation; no last names or formal titles beyond "Food Services team members" were provided in those posts. Program organizers and district contacts have not released a count of containers or the monetary value of the donation, and the Backpack Program did not specify exactly how many student bags will include the hummus.

Neighbors and donors who want to follow up directly can reach the Backpack Program at 1995 4th Street or by calling Jess Defrees at 503.347.1919. Program leaders say contributions such as the hummus donation play a tangible role in filling backpacks and sustaining the weekend food supply for Baker City students and families.