The Backpack Buddies Program was established in 2009 and currently serves over 130 in-need students in eleven schools in Douglas County and one school in Alpine County. A backpack containing non-perishable food for seven meals over the weekend is distributed to participating students each Friday. Parents are required to complete a permission slip each year. Many of the students who participate in Backpack Buddies qualify for free/reduced breakfast and lunch programs while at school. However, on weekends little food is available to them. Because the schools in Douglas County are committed to the students in their schools they continue to make this program available to their students in need. 

Previously affiliated with the Minden Rotary Club Foundation, the Backpack Buddies Program received its own non-profit charitable status (501(c)3) in 2016.