BackPack Buddies of Franklin County, Inc.

12/06/2024

Hi everyone! BPBFC needs your help!

Tis the season of giving and Backpack Buddies of Franklin County, Inc. (BPBFC) needs your help! If you are not familiar with our program, BPBFC is a non-profit organization recognized by the IRS under Section 501 (c) (3) that was created to exclusively provide breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks for eligible students at Franklin County School. Eligibility is determined by a student's eligibility for free lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Franklin County School district received the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) through NSLP due to over 60% of students qualifying for free lunch. With such a large number of qualifying students, we decided to offer the program to the entire school district in good faith that only those who needed help would participate.

Our mission is to help offset food costs within the home, provide household brand items that children are familiar with and will enjoy but are also able to cook themselves in case a parent/guardian is not able to cook for them.

Currently, we have 263 students participating in the program. Due to the rise of food cost caused by inflation, we need your help funding this program through the remainder of this school year. Any amount will be greatly appreciated, and we also can provide donation acknowledgment letters for tax purposes.

It truly takes a village to take care of our children within the Franklin County community and we would love for you to be a part of that village! If you have any questions, please contact our program coordinator, Natasha Creamer at (850) 323-0576.

Blessings to you all and Happy Holidays!

Tis the season of giving and Backpack Buddies of Franklin County, Inc. (BPBFC) needs your help! If you are not familiar with our program, BPBFC is a non-profit organization recognized by the IRS under Section 501 (c) (3) that was created to exclus...

06/23/2024

Like many do, Bunnie Ison moved to St George Island to live out her retirement days. She could have lived a life of retirement quietly and leisurely, instead, she used her time to make a great impact on the community of Franklin County especially the children of this community through her active support of programs like Bring Me A Book Foundation and Backpack Buddies of Franklin County (BPBFC).

According to Gordon T. Smith, author of a book called Courage & Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential, two fundamental ways those who enter their retired years make a difference is sharing wisdom and sharing blessing. Bunnie did that and so much more. For me, Bunnie shared much wisdom and blessing. Gordon T. Smith says “to bless is to simply affirm the other, to take particular delight and joy in the other in a nonjudgmental or prescriptive manner. It is often evident in the joy that someone takes in being in the company of the other or in the gifts that are given—the gift of time, of opportunities and of skills passed on.”(p. 98).

From the moment I met Bunnie 3 years ago at my first Bunco Babes game in the SGI Plantation, she began sharing her wisdom and blessing with me that I will continue to use throughout my life. Bunnie had heard that BPBFC was back up and running about 6 months after I had began coordinating the program. Immediately, she began supporting the program in various ways including helping raise almost 20,000 dollars in 2 months for BPBFC along with spear heading our 1st annual fundraiser that brought in almost 10,000 dollars last year.

Moreover, she helped me execute the vision God had given me for the program and gave me the confidence and support to apply for the programs 501(c)3 status myself. She was confident that I could write our Bylaws and prepare a Budget projection. When she had her lawyer friend look over everything, they only had to add the 501(c)3 verbiage to the Bylaws that I did not include thinking that would come after we were approved by the IRS. To my surprise, the program was officially recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non profit in less than 30 days. Even after that, I continued making moves based on her confidence in me and I still am. There is no doubt it was Gods hands and Bunnie’s faith in me that gave me the push to step out and do something beyond myself.

This past year has been full of unforeseen circumstances that have affected the operation of BPBFC, including Bunnie discovering she had Leukemia. However, I say with her full confidence that BPBFC will be operating at full force this coming school year. Most people do not get the chance to help their community until they are retired like Bunnie. However, God has blessed me with the time to focus on BPBFC moving forward. I know that I could not do it without Bunnie’s wisdom and the blessing of her skills in establishing programs that help the people, especially the children,of our community.

I will miss her so much and I cannot imagine the pain and sadness that her family is experiencing. My heart and prayers are with them. Bunnie was a powerful force to be reckoned with and I have no doubt her passion for our community and her selfless spirit carries on in every person who has had the opportunity to work alongside her in an effort to support the children of Franklin County. She is loved and will be greatly missed; she will never be forgotten!

06/15/2023

Pictured in the photo from left to right are President-Bunnie Ison, Secretary-Teresa Manning, and Vice President/Treasurer-Natasha Creamer. It certainly takes a village to feed the children of our community and these ladies worked together to not only raise money to feed our children but to add to our village of supporters! We would like to personally thank everyone who made this a successful fundraiser!

06/15/2023

Our Art Raffle was definitely a success and we appreciate all who donated the amazing art work and those who supported our event through participating!

06/15/2023

Entertainment was provided by the UkuLillies and the Ashley Morgan Duo who both did an amazing job performing! Thank you for your contribution to our “Farm To Table” fundraiser!

06/15/2023

Our “Farm To Table” menu was prepared by numerous ladies who serve several different organizations within the community. The food was phenomenal!

06/15/2023

Turtle Pond Farm, Apalachicola is a magical place tucked away in Apalachicola. We are beyond grateful for Creighton and Holly Brown allowing us to host our “Farm to Table” Fundraiser at their beautiful property and home!

05/19/2023

Our Farm To Table Spring Fundraiser was a huge success!! We were even given a whole page in the paper telling of how great the event was! We would like to thank every one who contributed to the success of our first BPBFC annual fundraiser! More importantly, we are extremely appreciative of the new members this fundraiser added to our village!

Over the next week, we will be sharing pictures and giving thanks to specific individuals and businesses that made everything possible!!

04/26/2023

🎟️ RAFFLE TIME! Tickets are 3 for $20, which feeds a child for 2 weekends!
Our May 11th Fundraiser includes a raffle for 7️⃣ paintings by the Turtle Pond Painters - local artists Ed Springer, Tara Roberts, Lynn Wilder, Holly Brown, Pam Corcoran, Bunnie Ison & Barb Noonan, and a Photo by Creighton Brown.
🎟️ The 8 winners will be drawn at 7PM during the event.
🎟️ Want to support BPBFC but can’t attend? Buying raffle tickets is PERFECT because you don’t have to be present to win!
🎟️ Purchase tickets until May 11th at Live Oak Gallery in Apalach WED-SAT, 11am to 5pm -or- at Turtle Pond Farm, Apalachicola the evening of the event.

04/21/2023