Bobcat Backpacks Program

In January of 2016, increased need for weekend food was identified by Radford City Public School principals and guidance counselors. The Bobcat Backpacks Program was created as an autonomous program run by community members who were willing and able to dedicate the time and energy to running a successful program. At that time we served to 65 students throughout all Radford City Schools.

As of the 2023-24 school year, the number of students served has increased to an average of 150 students receiving weekend food and 50 students getting snacks from our pantry at Radford High School and Dalton Intermediate each week during the school year.

Bobcat Backpacks Program has been able to grow through the generosity of Radford City Schools, Feeding America Southwest Virginia, residents, businesses, grants, local churches, food drives, and Radford University. "Radford City Schools Partners for Excellence Foundation" is the wonderful RCPS charitable organization Bobcat Backpacks works under, meaning all donations are tax deductible.

Cost per week is about $1,700. Purchased food comes from the Radford’s Food Lion, which is able to sell their food to us tax free. Housed at the Presbyterian Church of Radford, volunteers bag meals for 150+ Radford City Schools students every week. Included are 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and snacks. We also provide food and snack pantries at Dalton Intermediate and Radford High Schools.

In 2015, Radford University started a campus-wide food drive for the Bobcat Backpacks Program with the "Radford Gives Back" day of service initiative. Every year, the entire campus works toward this goal of feeding Radford City's hungry children together and we're thrilled to be a part of this effort.

Our goal is to obtain funding to not only continue our program, through grants and donations, but to increase the number of children served as well as the nutritional value of the food provided.

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