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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Boomerang Backpacks

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United States
Fort Wayne, IN
Boomerang Backpacks

"Helping to fight childhood hunger one Boomerang Backpack at a time." Currently the program serves over 3,700 students in 36 elementary schools.

Currently the program serves over 4,000 students in 45 elementary schools throughout 9 counties in Northeast Indiana. The Boomerang Backpack program is a free weekend food distribution program that provides students enrolled in free/reduced lunch programs a backpack filled with healthy foods for the weekend. Feeding hungry children is the most visible part of our mission, however the manner in whi

ch we provide the program reflects other underlying missions. Our mission

Feeding hungry children
Provide community service opportunities for at risk youth
Provide work-based learning experiences for special needs children

In essence one program works to address the needs of three at-risk youth populations:

- Children living at or near poverty levels

- Children who have not experienced success in traditional school environments

- Low-functioning children enrolled in special needs Life Skills programs.

05/29/2026

Thanks to the generosity of our community, our 2026 Boomerang Bash raised over $35,000 for Boomerang Backpacks–Steuben County! That funding will help provide weekend nourishment for more than 425 students during the 2026–2027 school year (covering approximately 75% of our annual program budget in Steuben County).
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters who make this mission possible. Together, we are making a lasting difference for local children and families.

*An extra special thank you to Rebekah Cronkhite & Jeremy Cronkhite for leading, organizing and bringing this event to life & The 6 on James for generously providing space, food & enteraninment*

05/20/2026

⚡️ Lace up your shoes and join us for the inaugural Charge Against Hunger 5K & Family Fun Run! ⚡️
Every step helps provide weekend nourishment for local students through Boomerang Backpacks. ❤️
📍 Carroll High School Campus
📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
🏃 Family Fun Run – 9:30 AM
🏃‍♂️ 5K – 10:30 AM
Hosted by the High School Alumni Association to benefit Boomerang Backpacks.

Grab your friends, bring the family, and help us fight hunger one mile at a time! 💙💚💙💚

05/15/2026

Reminder: Live music, food, and fun tonight at The 6 starting at 630.

04/24/2026

Our Westview students (Lakeland & Westview) came together on two different days to pack 122 special Spring Break Boomerang Backpack bags! Each one filled with extra food to help provide nourishment over the extended break.
These bags included a variety of easy-to-prepare items like breakfast kits, cereal, pasta meals, snacks, drinks, and a few treats.
We’re so proud of these students for stepping up to serve others in their community. Their time, energy, and care make a real difference for local kids and families.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support this program, you’re part of every bag packed and every child served.

There are so many ways to support Boomerang Backpacks. If you’d like to get involved or learn more, please reach out!

03/16/2026

Thank you to Angola American Legion Post 31 for choosing Boomerang Backpacks – Steuben County as one of the recipients!

03/06/2026

~800 bags packed!

A massive thank you to all shifts at the Dow Kendallville for spending their breaks packing for Boomerang Backpacks- East Noble! We truly appreciate your dedication to Noble County and your continued support of Boomerang Backpacks!

03/04/2026

2026 BOOMERANG BASH!!!

Come support Boomerang Backpacks-Steuben County & help make a difference for kids in our community!
Details+Sponsorship info on the flyers below 👇

01/29/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Miller Amish Country Poultry (and Leaders Staffing) for their generous $20,000 donation to Boomerang Backpacks–Steuben & LaGrange Counties. This gift will provide weekend food for approximately 180 students for an ENTIRE school year! What a powerful investment in our local children.

12/22/2025

Our hearts are full of Christmas gratitude due to the incredible generosity of Amazon FW, Holden Construction, Insurance Management Group, and New Hope Girls! Their extra donations allowed Boomerang Backpacks – Northwest Allen County to provide 286 elementary students with two fully packed bags of food (loaf of bread, peanut butter, family-size mac & cheese, a special Christmas bag from New Hope Girls, candy cane & much more!) for the Holiday break!🎄❤️

For many of these children, school provides their only guaranteed hot meal. When school doors close for weekends and holidays, hunger doesn’t take a break. That’s why Boomerang Backpacks is here!

To our donors, volunteers, and supporters: you are making the holidays brighter, warmer, and more hopeful for over 4,000 children in our community.

From all of us at Boomerang Backpacks, thank you & Happy Holidays!

Angie Shook

12/18/2025

💚Boomerang Backpacks 2025 Rising Star Award 💙

Last night, we had the privilege of honoring East Noble Junior Aiden Bitzel with the Boomerang Backpacks 2025 Rising Star Award!

Aiden has been one of the most dedicated volunteers at Boomerang Backpacks – East Noble. Fifteen years ago, Mark Cockroft founded Boomerang Backpacks with a mission to ensure no child goes hungry, while also encouraging students to be involved and give back.

We are so proud of you, Aiden—but even more importantly, you should be proud of yourself. Your selfless dedication has helped thousands of students over the past few years.

Congratulations, Aiden, and thank you from all of us at Boomerang Backpacks!

Address

4616 E Dupont Road, Suite C
Fort Wayne, IN
46825

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12602423428

Website

http://www.boomerangbackpacks.org/

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