2025 Summer Meals Program

Faith Presbyterian Church, Fannin County Family Connection, Feed Fannin, Snack in a Backpack, St. Luke’s Church, 1st U.M.C. Copperhill, St. Mark’s Church, and St. Catherine Laboure Church have joined together to offer a free Summer Meals Program for Fannin and Polk County children (ages 17 and under) who are in need. Donations are very welcome and are needed to provide meals and fresh produce for families with children from June 2-July 24, 2025.

During the school year, at least 70 percent of Fannin and Polk County children qualify for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals; 500 of those children also receive a weekly meal bag from Snack in a Backpack. The goal of the Summer Program is to provide healthy, nutritious meals to help the same children and their families during the summer break. Thanks to our partner, Feed Fannin, we provide fresh produce in addition to shelf-stable pantry staples that are purchased through the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. 

Last summer, more than 100 volunteers served 380 children and their families each week, providing more than 47,500 total meals. We are projected to serve 425 children and their families this summer, and the estimated cost for food for the full 8-week Summer Meals Program is approximately $35,000. That's approximately $20.00 per week per family. 

To sign up to receive bags:  

• Fannin County backpacksummer@gmail.com, 706-851-7283 (Register by May 19) 
• Polk County backpackbasin@gmail.com, 423-299-5755 (Register by May 2)

Volunteers are needed the following dates:

• Children's Bag Packing (Mondays at 9 a.m.): June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21
• Family Bag and Produce Bag Packing (Wednesdays at 9 a.m.): June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 
• Deliveries (Thursdays at 11 a.m.): June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24 

Also, on Tuesday mornings, we receive our delivery from Chattanooga Area Food Bank. If you are a strong individual who can help unload & stock inventory, we need YOU!  Email backpacksummer@gmail.com to volunteer. 

HUNGER DOESN’T TAKE A SUMMER VACATION! To request additional information on ‘The 2025 Summer Meals Program’, please contact:

Faith Presbyterian Church: 706-374-5912, office@faithpresbyterianusa.org

Fannin County Family Connection: 706-632-6063, amandahyde@etcmail.com

Feed Fannin: 706-946-1001, feedfannin@feedfannin.org 

Snack in a Backpack: 706-851-8174,  backpacksummer@gmail.com

St. Luke’s Church: 706-632-8245, stlukesblueridge@gmail.com  

FUMC Copperhill (Ann Rymer): 423-299-5755, backpackbasin@gmail.com