Why Table Talks?
- Emma Kudelka
- Nov 17, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 25, 2024

I first got involved with Backpack Buddies, a non-profit organization combating food insecurity, when I was twelve years old. My older brother started going and introduced me to the program.
As someone who loves trying new foods and exploring trendy restaurants, this cause resonated with me, and I instantly knew it was a meaningful way to devote my time. Backpack Buddies has allowed me to look at food accessibility from a different perspective. I often open the fridge and look around for different options depending on what mood I am in; however, many people, especially children, have no choices at all. This contrast pushed me to act, and is why I continue to volunteer every week.
What is Backpack Buddies?
Backpack Buddies provides food for children from Kindergarten to 5th who get breakfast and school lunch during the week but need food on the weekend. At Backpack Buddies, we pack bags of non-perishable goods for the kids and their families to have over the weekend. The bags are then delivered by partner organizations in East Harlem, including Association to Benefit Children and LSA Family Health Service. Backpack Buddies differs from a typical food bank because it’s centered around the kids, and our specific packages are delivered to the families.
Every Wednesday for the past seven years, I head straight to Backpack Buddies from school. Once I sign in and catch up with my other volunteers, it’s time to get to packing! Everyone has a different job in the organization, in order to maximize productivity. Some people set up the tables, others gather the food items, but everyone is contributing to the same shared goal. Every backpack includes:
1 quart of milk
2 organic juices
2 non-sugar cereal
2 lunch proteins
2 dinner proteins
2 vegetables
2 healthy snacks
Other assorted food items
My Key Takeaways
I’ve learned so much through this experience and hope to inspire others to contribute to causes they are passionate about. What I love most about my volunteering is that I not only pack food for these children but am fortunate enough to have a relationship with them as well. Whether it’s helping with homework or doing arts and crafts, being able to see the impact and watch them grow over the years has been incredibly rewarding. I look forward to taking them to the Museum of Natural History each spring and watching them marvel at the various exhibits.
In addition to the children I work with, I also learn from the other volunteers at Backpack Buddies. They’ve taught me the importance of what it means to be on a team. We all pack backpacks, but each person has a specific role in making the organization run smoothly. I personally am in charge of fundraising, and without donations, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we’re doing. Everyone is very supportive of each other, which makes my Wednesday afternoons so enjoyable.
Plans for the Future
While I’ve loved what I’ve been doing with Backpack Buddies thus far, I wanted to find a way to spread awareness and continue my involvement in combating food insecurity. My goal with TableTalks is to help inform people about the issue and provide resources. I will communicate these stories through interviews and personal experiences that will be posted on this platform. Please also visit the resources page to see how you can get involved in your New York City neighborhood.
Even if your contribution is small, every effort is working towards the same goal: a world in which no child has to worry about where their next meal will come from.
Comments