Backpack Assistance Program

🍎Spotted BAP program coordinator Ryan today shopping for snacks for our weekend bags. (He didn’t do it alone!) We feel lucky to have incredible volunteers and generous donations. #

Let’s feed kids!
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Board member Michael and his daughter Stella- packing weekend bags!

Thank you so much! Want to help out? Dm us to find out how!

🎄 Cheers to the holiday season from the Backpack Board and our new Program Manager, Ryan! 🎄

If you’re looking for ways to give back this holiday season, we’d love your support. Here are a few ways you can help:

🎁 Shop our wishlist (see our previous post for details)

🎁 Join us on Wednesday, December 17th at 2:30 PM at our headquarters to help pack holiday bags

🎁 Make a tax-deductible donation — every contribution makes a difference

Thank you for helping us spread warmth and care to our community this season ❤️

🎄🎁🧑‍🎄🤶
Back Assistance Program WISH LIST:

🍎Wanting to help, but don’t have the time to volunteer? We’ve put together a wish list for backpack bags. Next time you’re at Costco, you can pick up any of these items and deliver them to our headquarters. Message us and if no one is there and we will make sure we get it inside. Address: 311 E Street in alley.

🍎We are so appreciative of you! Let’s give in this holiday season! Let’s feed kids!

Join us before the Whitefish Christmas stroll to mingle with board members & meet our new BAP program manager and learn more about three amazing non profits!

Another big welcome!

The Backpack Assistance Program’s board is so excited to welcome Marissa Keenan.

Marissa Keenan is the founder of Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, a Montana-based ice cream company. Growing up in a restaurant family in Montana, Marissa developed a lifelong appreciation for the power of food to build community and bring people together. She understands firsthand how access to food shapes childhood experiences and believes every child deserves the security of knowing they have enough to eat so that food becomes more than just survival but JOY! Based in Whitefish, Marissa is deeply committed to her community through volunteer work and supporting local causes. When she isn’t working towards spreading joy via ice cream and community, she is raising her kids and enjoying Montana’s outdoors.

We’ve had a lot going on these last few months at the Backpack 🎒 Assistance Program!!!

We have hired a new backpack program manager! We are excited to have him on our team.

Meet Ryan DeAngelis—

Ryan has always been inspired by community connection and beautiful places. Over the years he has gained experience working in multiple aspects of local food systems such as growing food on farms and gardens, to managing professional bakeries. As someone who is passionate about food justice and empowering community, he began volunteering and working with food access nonprofits in farm-to-school education and food access. Ryan can often be found playing in the mountains or bustling around the kitchen cooking food with friends.

Visit www.whitefishfridayfoodbags.org for more info!

Is your backyard garden overflowing? Looking for a way to put your excess produce to use? Our community fridge in downtown Whitefish could use some love! Fridge is located in the alleyway at 311 1st St, next to Whitefish Thrift Haus. Drop off anytime!
Any produce donated is distributed to neighbors who could use it!