Backpack Buddies Receives $75,000 Donation from Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation

Every child deserves to have enough food for the weekend. For Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta, making that possible requires a community of supporters willing to step forward and help close the weekend hunger gap.

The organization recently received a $75,000 donation from the Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation, providing important support for Backpack Buddies' mission to provide nutritious weekend meals to children experiencing food insecurity across Metro Atlanta.

The Foundation will also serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Starry Nights Gala, helping bring community members, businesses and philanthropic partners together in support of Backpack Buddies' weekend feeding program.

Supporting Children Beyond the School Week

For many children, school meals provide an important source of nutrition during the week. But when school closes on Friday, access to those meals can become uncertain.

Backpack Buddies was created to help fill that gap.

The organization provides nonperishable, kid-friendly food packages to children who may otherwise face food insecurity over the weekend. Its current program serves 2,625 children each weekend across 53 schools in Metro Atlanta, supported by hundreds of volunteers and 34 Community Buddy organizations.

The $75,000 contribution from Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation will help provide nutritious weekend meals to children throughout the region.

A Partnership That Goes Beyond a Donation

Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation's relationship with Backpack Buddies extends beyond financial support.

The Foundation has also participated as a Community Buddy, giving its team an opportunity to support the organization's work through hands-on involvement.

Community partnerships like this are an important part of the Backpack Buddies model. Organizations can contribute funding, volunteer time, resources or a combination of all three to help ensure children receive food when school meals are unavailable.

Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Starry Nights Gala

The Foundation's support will also help make the 2026 Starry Nights Gala possible as its Presenting Sponsor.

The annual event will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, bringing together supporters of Backpack Buddies to raise funds for the organization's weekend feeding program.

The gala provides another opportunity for the Atlanta community to learn more about weekend childhood hunger and play a direct role in helping address it.

A child featured in the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta's coverage of Backpack Buddies described the difference simply: before receiving weekend food, siblings had to divide up which day each would eat; with Backpack Buddies, they could both eat throughout the weekend.

Growing the Fight Against Childhood Hunger

Backpack Buddies began in 2017 when volunteers started packing food for just 10 children at one local elementary school.

Since then, the organization has grown significantly. It became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022 and reached the milestone of delivering its 1 millionth meal in April 2025. Today, its weekend feeding program reaches thousands of children throughout Metro Atlanta.

That growth has only been possible through the support of donors, volunteers, schools, businesses, faith communities and civic organizations.

The Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation's latest contribution represents another significant investment in that collective effort.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to support Backpack Buddies' mission.

Donate: Financial contributions help provide the food needed to serve children throughout the school year. The organization currently estimates that $250 can feed one child every weekend of the school year.

Volunteer: Volunteers help with food inventory, packing, loading, deliveries and community events.

Become a Community Buddy: Organizations can adopt schools and help pack and deliver weekend meals to students.

Building a Future Without Weekend Hunger

The $75,000 gift from Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation is more than a financial contribution. It is an investment in children, families and the Metro Atlanta community.

With continued support from partners, donors and volunteers, Backpack Buddies can continue working toward a simple vision: ensuring that children have access to nutritious food every day of the week.

Because hunger doesn't take the weekend off.