Mandurah, WA, 19 February 2025 – Jordan a recipient of a Backpack Buddies bag shared “When I get my Backpack, it feels like Christmas, all the surprises inside. It means my mum isn’t sad on the weekends.” The relentless cost-of-living crisis is tightening its grip on families, leaving more children vulnerable to food insecurity, especially during weekends and school holidays. While school programs like Breakfast Club and lunches from organisations like Eat Up Australia provide vital meals during the school week, the question remains—what happens after the bell rings on Friday?
“We heard heart breaking stories from principals and chaplains that children were stressed going into the weekend, not knowing where their next meal will come from, instead of feeling excited for what the weekend had in store.” said Kelly Hinder, CEO of Bridge Builders. “This led to us creating Backpack Buddies to help bridge the weekend hunger gap, ensuring no child goes hungry.”
Bridge Builders’ Backpack Buddies program, commenced in January 2024 as a pilot dedicated to discreetly providing nutritious, easy-to-prepare food packs to schools for distribution to children in need. Since it’s commencement the program witnessed a staggering increase from supporting five children at one school to supporting over 130 across 12 schools in the Mandurah area, highlighting the worsening plight of struggling families. Now with a 30% increase in registrations within the first two weeks of the 2025 school year we predict needing support for over 300 children in the Mandurah, Peel and Rockingham areas. The urgency is underscored by over 12 additional schools reaching out for immediate assistance.
Despite the generous backing from Telethon and Alcoa Pinjarra Alumina Refinery’s 2025 Community Partnership Program, we still need to raise an additional $32,000 to support those currently registered for the remainder of the school year. Moreover, a further $70,000 is essential to expand into the Rockingham area to support schools seeking our help.
“We urgently call on local businesses, community groups, individuals, and the government to support grassroots food relief programs like ours. We’re on the front lines, working directly with families in crisis. No child should go hungry because their family’s situation,” Mrs Hinder emphasised.
To support Backpack Buddies or learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.bridgebuilders.org.au/backpack-buddies or contact them on 0458 287 185.
Media and interview contact:
Kelly Mansfield | CEO | ceo@bridgebuilders.org.au | 0458 297 185Leandri Cronji | School Programs Coordinator | schools@bridgebuilders.org.au
About Bridge Builders Incorporated. Bridge Builders is a registered charitable organisation dedicated to serving the Mandurah and Peel community with kindness, compassion, and sensitivity. We prioritise meeting individual needs without judgment, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our mission is to nourish and enhance the social, emotional, spiritual, and economic well-being of those facing misfortune, poverty, disability, or helplessness.
We believe in fostering healthy lives, environments, and communities to break the cycle of poverty and hunger. With the support of our generous donors and dedicated volunteers, we strive to create positive and impactful experiences for all involved.
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