More Than 500 Boerne Students Receive Weekend Meals Thanks to Local Volunteers 💛
Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 students in Boerne ISD qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals?
Behind the beautiful neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and growing community we love, there are families facing challenges that aren't always visible.
One local nonprofit is working to make sure children don't go hungry when the school week ends.
Meet Blessings in a Backpack
Fourteen years ago, Kathy Bandujo started the Boerne chapter of Blessings in a Backpack with a mission to help feed local children.
What began at a single school has grown into a program serving more than 500 students across all 14 Boerne ISD campuses.
Every Thursday, volunteers gather to pack bags filled with enough breakfast, lunch, and snacks to help students get through the weekend.
In less than two hours, as many as 40 volunteers can prepare and deliver hundreds of food bags to local campuses.
The bags are distributed discreetly, protecting the privacy and dignity of the children and families receiving them.
The Need Is Closer Than You Think
Boerne is often viewed as an affluent community, but food insecurity doesn't always look the way we expect.
For some children, school meals provide an important source of reliable nutrition. When Friday afternoon arrives, access to consistent meals can become more difficult.
Blessings in a Backpack helps bridge that gap.
The volunteers also prepare additional food for longer school breaks, including holidays when students may be away from school for several days.
Every Donation Makes a Difference
One particularly meaningful part of the Boerne program is its commitment to putting donated funds directly toward feeding children.
According to local organizers, 100% of donations collected for the Boerne effort go toward purchasing food.
Program leaders personally cover administrative expenses, including printing and supplies.
With grocery prices continuing to rise, community support is especially important.
How You Can Help
Residents interested in supporting Blessings in a Backpack can:
Make a donation designated for the Boerne program.
Connect with local organizers about volunteer opportunities.
Help spread awareness of childhood hunger in our community.
Encourage local businesses, churches, and community groups to get involved.
To learn more, visit blessingsinabackpack.org and look for the Boerne program.
Love Where You Live Means Loving Your Neighbors
There's so much to celebrate about Boerne, but some of the most meaningful stories are the quiet ones.
The volunteers who show up every Thursday. The groceries packed with care. The children who head home on Friday knowing they'll have something to eat over the weekend.
We may never know every family facing hardship in our community, but we can all play a part in making sure our neighbors feel supported.
Thank you to Kathy Bandujo, Audra Duran, and the many volunteers making a difference through Blessings in a Backpack.
This is what loving where you live looks like. 💛
Love where you live. — Boerne Love
Reporting credit: Information and program statistics sourced from Patty Santos' October 15, 2026 report for KSAT 12.
