We are so grateful for the support from the community and Victoria Gardens Men’s club. This year will be their 4th annual Golf Outing. Last year they generously raised $25,000 for our organization.

The event will be October 27th at DeBary Golf and Country Club.

Sponsorships are available as well as player registrations. See their website for details, and we hope to see you there!

VGMC Golf 2025

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Final day for Operation Christmas sign-ups is Saturday, November 23 from 9am till 12pm at Backpack Buddies location (167 N. Industrial Dr., Orange City, FL 32763). Must bring ID and proof of income and a report card or birth certificate for each child. We are taking on a first come first basis and will call if you are approved.

Apply Online

If anybody would like to donate to Operation Christmas please call 386-218-5776 for drop off times.

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Backpack Buddies is teaming up with Keller Williams Heritage Realty to reach a goal of collecting 100 blessing baskets for local families in need. Drop off your basket November 22 from 5 to 7 PM at Backpack Buddies location 167 N. Industrial Dr., Orange City, FL 32763 and receive a free meal cooked by your local Rotary club members. We are also accepting monetary donations to make additional baskets.

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We are so grateful for the support from the community and Victoria Gardens Men’s club. This year will be their 3rd annual Golf Outing. Last year they generously raised $11,500 for our organization.

The event will be October 28th at DeBary Golf and Country Club.

Sponsorships are available as well as player registrations. See their website for details, and we hope to see you there!

VGMC Golf 2024

The post Victoria Gardens Men’s Club 3rd Annual Golf Outing appeared first on Backpack Buddies.

Last week we held our 3rd annual gala to raise funds for our mission. All proceeds minus the event costs go directly running our programs. Thank you to all those who attended and supported our mission, we couldn’t do it without you! We hope to see you next year at our 4th annual gala in 2025!

Event Photos

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Join Us for a Day of Golf and Giving Back at the Victoria Gardens Men’s Club Golf Outing Fundraiser!

As spring unfolds and the warmth of the season fills the air, we invite you to join Backpack Buddies of Orange City for a day of golf and philanthropy at the Victoria Gardens Men’s Club Golf Outing Fundraiser! This event will take place on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the picturesque DeBary Golf & Country Club. This year, the event has moved to DCC to accommodate more participants, sponsors, and donors, all coming together to support our mission of eliminating food insecurity in children and families of West Volusia County.

The Victoria Gardens Men’s Club has been a steadfast supporter of Backpack Buddies, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing commitment. To date, they have raised an impressive $22,765.00 for our cause, and we are excited to see the impact of this year’s fundraiser.

The day’s events will include a round of golf with various Hole-in-One and skill prizes up for grabs, thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Participants can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win from a selection of fantastic prizes. The theme of this year’s golf outing is “Par is Your Friend,” emphasizing a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for golfers of all levels.

Registration includes breakfast sandwiches, coffee, juice, a BBQ lunch, and a door prize ticket, ensuring a day filled with fun and camaraderie. Whether you sign up as a foursome or an individual, your support will make a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity in our community.

In addition to seeking sponsors, players, and foursomes for the Golf Outing, we are also looking for sponsors for our upcoming Yearly Gala, our largest fundraising event of the year. Your support at these events allows us to continue our mission of eliminating food insecurity and supporting families in need.

If you’re unable to participate in the Golf Outing, we invite you to volunteer for our upcoming Schools Out Fest on June 1st. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back and make a positive impact in our community.

To sign up for the golf outing or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit vgmcgolf.com or scan the QR code on the attached flyer. Join us on October 28th for a day of golf, prizes, and making a difference. Together, we can ensure that no child or family in West Volusia County goes hungry.

The post SPRING HAS SPRUNG…LET’S GOLF! appeared first on Backpack Buddies.

MEDIA ALERT

Backpack Buddies Presents:
After Dark-All Ages Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 30th 6-9pm
Location: PFC Emory L. Bennett Veterans Memorial Park at 1365 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Orange City, Fl 32763

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office will be flying in the Easter Bunny on Air One helicopter at approximately 6pm into Field #4.

There will be Games, prizes, food trucks, vendors and egg hunts for ALL Ages.
Egg hunts will start at approximately 8:10pm

Backpack Buddies was founded in September of 2019 by Kelli Marks, who also serves as Orange City Councilwoman and is currently running for Orange City Mayor.

“Without the support of Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Volusia County this event would not be possible. I would like to show our gratitude for their support in giving back to the Volusia Community”, stated Kelli Marks.

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We had a great event this year. A big thank you to DeLand Motorsports for hosting and thank you for all who participated. See you next year!

Below are some photos from the event. Enjoy!

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Source: ClickOrlando

Food drive organizers able to secure enough food to feed about 1,000 families for 2 weeks

ORANGE CITY, Fla. – Dozens of volunteers came together on Thursday to help feed families in Volusia County ahead of the Easter holiday.

Second Harvest Food Bank teamed up with Backpack Buddies, Orange City commissioners and Amazon for a food distribution event at PFC Emory L. Bennett Veterans Memorial Park.

“This is really to get families through those times that they’re struggling to make ends meet,” Director of Advocacy Stephanie Palacios said. “They may be making that decision between paying their rent and getting food for their family for the week.”

Read Article

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News Release
For more information, please contact:
Backpack Buddies OC c/o Kelli Marks
Phone: 386-316-2959
Email: BackpackBuddiesOC@gmail.com

MEDIA ALERT

Backpack Buddies teams up with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Amazon for food giveaway for the Easter Holiday!

Thursday, April 6, 2023
Starting 9am while supplies last!
PFC Emory L. Bennett Veterans Memorial Park
1365 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Orange City, FL 32763

Orange City, FL – Backpack Buddies is hosting a food giveaway just in time for the Easter Holiday on Thursday, April 6th at PFC Emory L. Bennett Veterans Memorial Park, 1365 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Orange City, FL. The event will open at 9am and continue until 11:30am or while supplies last.

Volunteers will be distributing to Volusia County residents who are underserved or just can’t afford the food prices with the current state of our economy. Recipients will drive up, pop open their trunk and volunteers will place several perishable and nonperishable food items in the trunk of the vehicles.

The giveaway is made possible through Backpack Buddies Volunteers and their partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, County of Volusia, City of Orange City, The Oyster Bar of Orange City, Firehouse Subs of Orange City, and Amazon of Deltona will be bringing 50 volunteers.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will bring a semi-truck of over 30,000 pounds of food to be distributed. There will be perishable and non-perishable food items that could include frozen meats, dairy products, produce, pastries, and many other food products. The program is open to all Volusia County residents only. Amazon has shut down their warehouse for maintenance and has agreed to bring their employees to serve the community.

“Prices of food keep escalating, as well as everything else, which makes it difficult for Volusia households to be able to purchase food. It’s became a choice of buying food or paying their mortgage or rent,” stated Backpack Buddies President Kelli Marks. This giveaway covers them for about two weeks’ worth of food”, Marks commented.

Also, Marks stated, we are extremely grateful for our partnerships with so many of our community members and businesses who have stepped up to supply critical resources for those most in need in our community. Food insecurity is not going away anytime soon. Backpack Buddies has stepped in to fight food insecurity and has already fed over 10,000 Volusia County Residents in just one year!

Backpack Buddies held its last food giveaway in Orange City was in November 2022, distributing over 30,000 pounds of food to over 700 families.

Backpack Buddies was founded in September of 2019 by Kelli Marks, who also serves as Orange City Councilwoman.

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