Backpack Buddies headquarters gets face-lift from volunteers

Home Depot helped Backpack Buddies’ headquarters undergo a near $2,100 makeover in one day.

Backpack Buddies’ Executive Director Lin Larson said she originally reached out to Home Depot to replace the stucco on the pillars out front of the building, however it was not something the store did.

Instead, Home Depot was able to produce a grant that would help replace the linoleum in the facility’s restroom and lobby and repaint the emergency curbs outside.

The grant is through the Home Depot Foundation which partners with organizations and programs to enhance the community.

Home Depot employee Chhary Sieng said Home Depot recently helped install cabinets and furniture for veterans at the Reno Housing authority.

“It’s a pretty cool program,” said Sieng. “We use our own employees and donate our time to helping with various projects.”

Several employees from the Jacks Valley, North Carson Market Street, and Reno’s Demonte Ranch Home Depots helped with the project for Backpack Buddies.

Larson said The Backpack Buddies’ headquarters is leased through the Carson Valley Food Closet, which is right next door on Waterloo Lane.

“I received approval from the Food Closet for the renovations and they were very pleased about the project,” said Larson.

Backpack Buddies is a community based and volunteer program which distributes a bag of non-perishable food items every Friday to students in need.

Food is received and packaged for distribution at the facility. Each food bag includes seven meals and meets the USDA minimum daily requirements for school-age children.

“Studies have shown the students who participate in the Backpack Buddies program experience improved academic performance, improved attendance, and a reduced number of behavioral issues while at school,” said Larson.

The program is run by volunteers and food is received through food drives and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

Through donations, volunteers, and programs like the Home Depot Foundation, Backpack Buddies is able to serve students in need.

Larson said Backpack Buddies was able to serve 320 students at 12 schools; 11 in Douglas County and one in Alpine, during the 2022- 2023 school year. A total of 92,404 pounds of food was provided to school nurses, preschools, general school population, special programs and needy families within the community.

“These generous volunteers are what keep the Backpack Buddies Program going and meeting the weekend food needs of in-need students in our community,” said Larson.  “We express our gratitude to all who in their hearts and through their giving have supported the Backpack Buddies program in our efforts to help the in-need students in Douglas County.”