Who We Are • What We Do • Volunteer • Donate • Connect with Us
Who We Are
Backpack Buddies is part of our efforts at Congregation Rodeph Sholom to actively respond to the needs of the community. For over 10 years, congregation members like you have been packing and delivering backpacks of food to meet the great demand of food insecurity. While many school-aged children are eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the week, these benefits don’t extend into the weekend or school breaks and many children simply do not have the food they need.
What We Do
Packing
Every Friday morning, our volunteers pack backpacks of shelf-stable food with enough food to last the weekend. Each bag contains the following:

- 2 cans of protein
- 2 cans of soups
- 4 milks
- 2 cereals
- 2 cans of fruit
- 2-3 snacks
- 2 bags of beans (or other grains)
- 1 package of pasta with 1 can of pasta sauce
- 1 jar of peanut butter with 1 container of jelly
Delivery
Each week, we deliver backpacks to the following three locations where students take backpacks home with them on Fridays:
- PS 347 The American Sign Language and English School on East 23rd St
- Goddard Riverside Lincoln Square afterschool program on West 65th St
- Frederick Samuel Resident Association in East Harlem at 143rd St

Volunteer
We need volunteers to set up, pack and deliver backpacks every Friday morning.
PACKING • Join us in the CRS lobby Friday mornings from 9:00-10:00 AM. No commitment necessary. Come for one week as your schedule allows.
DRIVING • Volunteer drivers and riders go out with deliveries from 10:00-11:30 AM on Fridays with 25-65 backpacks per car.
SET UP • We also need strong volunteers to help with shelving inventory or other assorted tasks.
Upcoming Sessions:
Email us for more information at backpackbuddies@crsnyc.org.

Members of all ages are welcome to volunteer and we regularly collaborate with groups within the congregation, including Sholom Discoveries Religious School, Rodeph Sholom School, Sholom Sprouts and Tribe for group mitzvah opportunities. Check the calendar or email Janet Cohen and Gayle Meyer at backpackbuddies@crsnyc.org for upcoming dates.
Corporate Volunteer
If you would like to arrange a volunteer opportunity for your company/colleagues, please reach out to backpackbuddies@crsnyc.org.

Donate
This program runs through direct member support. We welcome your donations in any amount, in honor of a loved one, in honor of a special event, or as an ongoing commitment.
Under “Fund,” choose “Tikkun Olam.” Then, choose “Backpack Buddies.”
$32 to feed one child for one weekend
$128 to feed one child for one month
$1,312 to feed one child for 41 weeks (the number of deliveries we make in a school year)
Connect with Us
Contact volunteer leaders Janet Cohen and Gayle Meyer at backpackbuddies@crsnyc.org with any questions.