How Partnership and Purpose Drive a Community Meal Program

When children in a local school district were seen scavenging through garbage cans for food, a community stepped up. The resulting program, Backpack for Kids, was launched by The Cross Road Assembly of God in Oregon to ensure that all students had access to nutritious meals over the weekend. Today, thanks to a committed network of volunteers and the efficiency of OMNIA Partners’ cooperative purchasing program, the initiative continues to serve its purpose with newfound sustainability. 

For Darren Williams and his wife, sustaining the Backpack for Kids program is a deeply personal mission. When they took over this initiative midyear, they committed themselves to ensuring no child in their community would go hungry over the weekend. “When the kids leave school on Friday, we want them to know they’ll have enough to eat,” Darren explains. The program, entirely volunteer-run, is a lifeline for dozens of children who rely on discreetly delivered meal bags to get through the weekends. Every Wednesday morning, a group of local volunteers gather to pack these bags with nutritious food, supporting students across multiple schools. 

Darren and the other volunteers’ devotion is fueled by an understanding of the broader impact. “Teachers and principals tell us that students are more focused in class and less likely to search through trash cans for food,” he shares. But when the program’s costs became unsustainable, Darren had to find a way to cut expenses without sacrificing quality. He turned to OMNIA Partners, whose cooperative purchasing model has since transformed the Backpack for Kids program, reducing costs by nearly 50% and allowing the team to serve the community for years to come. 

After a lapse in leadership, the cost of running the program began to surge. Without a guiding hand, food prices skyrocketed, threatening the program’s very existence. Darren shared, "We were spending around $130,000 annually, and it just wasn’t sustainable. The church was underwriting much of it, but we knew something had to change." 

The program was at a crossroads—how could they continue to provide healthy, affordable food to those in need without breaking their budget? 

Darren turned to the internet for answers, which led him to OMNIA Partners, a cooperative purchasing organization. Through OMNIA Partners, Darren learned he could access bulk food items and supplies at significantly reduced prices. "It was pretty straightforward," Darren explained. "I searched online, found OMNIA Partners, and then spoke with a representative who walked us through the program. It sounded really good—buying goods at a discounted rate and having it delivered right to our door." 

By partnering with OMNIA Partners, Darren and his team were able to reduce their costs dramatically. The price per bag of food dropped from $25 to between $10 and $13. This reduction enabled them to stretch their donations even further. “Based on the pricing and how things are going, we’ve got enough funds now for three years,” Darren noted with relief. 

This partnership also made operations more efficient. U.S. Foods, a supplier through OMNIA Partners, provided weekly deliveries, allowing the program to maintain consistent inventory. Volunteers now have the convenience of ordering from a phone or computer, which streamlines the ordering process and helps with budgeting and inventory tracking. "Being that we’re all volunteers, it’s hard enough to get people here on packing day. Now we don’t have to spend time shopping for groceries or dealing with inconsistent costs," Darren said. 

Cooperative purchasing with OMNIA Partners allowed Darren and the other volunteers to focus less on logistics and more on the program’s mission. They enjoy not only reduced costs but also the convenience and reliability of consistent deliveries. 

A dedicated delivery driver even became part of the routine, bringing a personal touch to the weekly food drop-off. “Our driver is amazing. He lets us know if he’s going to be delayed and always keeps us informed. It’s been a good experience all around,” Darren shared. 

The partnership with OMNIA Partners also supports their long-term vision. By ordering in bulk and coordinating with U.S. Foods, Darren’s team is now able to stock extra inventory, maintaining three to four weeks’ worth of food in reserve. This buffer protects the program from supply chain hiccups, ensuring that no child goes hungry, even if there are minor delays.

Through the efficiency and cost savings provided by OMNIA Partners, the Backpack for Kids program has seen remarkable improvements: 

• Cost Reduction: The cost per meal bag was cut in half, allowing the program to operate on a leaner budget and sustain itself for years to come. 

• Increased Efficiency: Online ordering, bulk buying, and scheduled deliveries have saved the volunteers valuable time and energy. 

• Inventory Control: The ability to manage and track orders and inventory has provided transparency and allowed for better planning and budgeting. 

• Reliability and Peace of Mind: Weekly deliveries ensure the program has consistent access to food supplies, removing the stress of last-minute sourcing. 

With OMNIA Partners’ cooperative purchasing program, Backpack for Kids is no longer just surviving—it’s thriving. What started as a community initiative to address childhood hunger has transformed into a sustainable lifeline for students. Darren’s gratitude is evident: “The support from OMNIA Partners has made all the difference. We’re able to provide nutritious meals every weekend, without the financial burden we once faced.” 

This partnership exemplifies the power of cooperative purchasing, turning what could have been an uncertain future into a heartwarming success story. By providing the resources needed to keep Backpack for Kids going, OMNIA Partners helps ensure that no child goes hungry and that community programs can focus on what matters most: making a difference. 

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