Inspiring Conversations with Denise Bjurholm of Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Bjurholm.

Denise, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Backpack Buddies began in 2017 with a group of volunteers who gathered each week to pack food for children facing hunger on the weekends when they did not have access to school meals. These dedicated volunteers partnered with one local elementary school to provide nutritious meals and snacks for children to take home in their backpacks each Friday afternoon.

Backpack Buddies quickly expanded, nourishing dozens of students every weekend across Atlanta. Incorporated in 2022, Backpack Buddies completed its inaugural 2022-2023 school year by feeding roughly 800 children every week across 27 schools and established a headquarters with warehouse space. With the support of hundreds of volunteers (referred to as Community Buddies) at nearly 35 churches, synagogues, and other community organizations, we are now feeding 2,625 children each weekend across 52 Metro Atlanta Title 1 schools by providing them a nutritious weekend food bag of six meals, snacks and drinks.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not always. While our mission has remained clear, the road to serving food-insecure children has had its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles we’ve faced in recent years is the rising cost of food. Purchasing the nutritious items we need for our weekend food bags has become increasingly difficult, and we’ve had to work harder to stretch every dollar while still maintaining the quality of what we provide.

We’ve also navigated the ongoing logistics of coordinating volunteers, managing distribution to schools across Metro Atlanta, and ensuring we can keep up with the growing demand in our community. Each hurdle has pushed us to be more creative, strengthen partnerships, and stay focused on why we do this work. Despite the challenges, every step has made us more resilient and more committed to feeding as many children as possible.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger by providing weekend meal bags to food-insecure children across our community. We partner with schools and community organizations to identify students who need support, and each week our volunteers pack and distribute nutritious, kid-friendly food that helps bridge the gap when school meals aren’t available.

What truly sets us apart is the consistency and care behind our work. We focus on providing high-quality, thoughtfully selected items that children will actually eat, because meeting nutritional needs requires both quality and compassion. We’ve become known for our reliability, our partnerships with local schools, and our commitment to making sure no child goes hungry simply because it’s the weekend.

In April 2025, we reached a major milestone: serving our 1 millionth meal. It was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how many lives we’ve touched, and it’s one of the achievements I am most proud of. It reflects not just our growth, but the impact our entire community has made by supporting this mission.

What I want readers to know most is that our brand is rooted in dignity, hope, and action. Every bag we pack represents a child who can approach Monday morning with a full stomach and a better chance to learn, grow, and thrive. We offer a simple but essential service, reliable access to food, and we are committed to expanding our reach so even more children can count on us each weekend.

What does success mean to you?
I define success by the impact we’re able to make in the lives of the children we serve. For me, it’s not measured in numbers alone, but in the reassurance that a child can go into the weekend without worrying about when they’ll eat next. Success is knowing that our work brings comfort, stability, and dignity to families who need it most.

On a broader level, success also means growth, reaching more students, strengthening community partnerships, engaging volunteers, and operating in a way that is sustainable for the long term. When we can expand our reach while staying true to our mission and values, that is true success.

And personally, I see success in those milestone moments that remind us why this work matters, like serving our 1 millionth meal. It’s a powerful affirmation that we are making a real difference, one weekend at a time.

Pricing:

• $250 feeds a child for a school year

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.backpackbuddiesatl.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backpackbuddiesatl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backpackbuddiesatl
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backpack-buddies-of-metro-atlanta/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackpackBuddiesATL
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@backpackbuddiesatl