Robertson County BackPack Program
Patty Dunn Memorial Backpack Program
Patty was the Cafeteria Manager at Coopertown Middle School (once an Eagle always an Eagle) and noticed on Monday mornings several of the students arrived at school hungry. After looking into it she realized many of the children had little to no food to eat over the weekend so she started a Backpack Attack Program. Bags of food which held snacks and food the kids could easily prepare themselves such as canned ravioli were given to children on Fridays.
Now the TNKids Nutrition operates the Patty Dunn Memorial Backpack Attack Program. The program serves almost 600 children across all of Robertson County. Volunteers pack food every Wednesday and deliver to area schools which distributes to the children on Fridays.
The TNKids Backpack Program helps ensure children in Robertson County have access to food when school is not in session over the weekend. Through the Patty Dunn Memorial Backpack Program, backpacks filled with nutritious food are sent home with students each week to help meet weekend food needs during the school year. This program is designed to support students and families by easing food insecurity during times when school meals are unavailable.
Each backpack contains shelf-stable items that provide simple, kid-friendly meals and snacks for the weekend. By partnering with local schools, TNKids Nutrition works discreetly and efficiently to make sure students receive support with dignity and care. Our goal is to remove barriers to food access so children can return to school on Monday ready to learn and thrive.
If you live in Robertson County and your family needs food assistance, help is available. Families are encouraged to reach out to the guidance counselor or school administration at their child’s school to learn more about the Backpack Program and how to apply. School staff can provide information and connect families with the resources they need.
Donations Make this Program possible
The Robertson County Community Closet is made possible through donations from individuals, businesses, and retail partners. If you are interested in donating items or learning how to support this program, please contact our office.