The Dalles Community Backpack Program Celebrates 10 Years

It’s a rainy morning in The Dalles and a cheer goes up as a dozen volunteers pack the last Community Backpack bag of the day, and with near record speed filling 140 bags in 44 minutes. They are also celebrating the 10 year anniversary of a program that has been incredibly impactful for kids experiencing food insecurity.

“We have a system, we pack two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners,” Glenis Schreffler, the founder and coordinator of the program said. “We also like to make sure they each have two fresh items.”

Glenis Schreffler restocks the Community Backpack shelves at the program she built to serve local students experiencing hunger. Photo By Stephanie Bowen and used with permission from the CCC News.

With ten years of experience under their belt, the team moves like a well-oiled machine. Schreffler, who worked as support staff at the high school, and dedicated volunteers started with the delivery of just 14 food bags to The Dalles High School and the program has grown to encompass every District 21 school and provide approximately 150 bags of food a week. Students and their families get free groceries for weekends, including healthy, easy-to-prepare food for kid-friendly meals.

“We don’t turn anyone down,” Schreffler said. She also works with school staff to identify food insecurity in kids and bring new students into the program. Well-nourished students are better prepared to learn. Learning and success in the classroom is a key indicator of future success as adults. It is a labor of love and a show of dedication, teamwork, and community support for the sake of students and families across the district.

Glenis Schreffler (right) and Community Backpack Volunteers with the packed bags ready to go out to students in The Dalles.

The Community Backpack Program is one of the local initiatives that will be moving into the new Columbia Gorge Food Bank Community Food Center, giving them more space to expand and save time and resources bringing the food from the CGFB warehouse to their longtime home in the basement of The Dalles United Methodist Church.

• For more info or to get involved check out their Facebook Page.
• Donations of individually wrapped cracker sleeves (like Ritz), ramen, granola bars and individually wrapped snacks are the highest need. There is a dropbox in the alley behind the First United Methodist Church at 305 E. 11th St, The Dalles.
• Volunteers are in the pantry Tuesday afternoons from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. if you would like to drop-off and check out the pantry!
• If you would like to donate financially to this program you can drop-off or mail a check to FUMC, Backpack program, 305 E. 11th St, The Dalles, OR 97058.

Adapted with permission from a Columbia Community Connection News feature By Stephanie Bowen.