I’m Parker White, founder and executive director of Backpack Beginnings. We connect children and families with the resources they need to thrive — from food and clothing to hygiene products and school supplies. What began in my dining room 15 years ago with backpacks of food for hungry students has grown into a community hub serving nearly a thousand families each month.
The inspiration came from a story about a teacher quietly slipping food into her students’ backpacks. Once I became a mother, I couldn’t ignore the thought of children in Greensboro going hungry. I started small, one backpack at a time, and discovered just how deep the need was in our own schools and neighborhoods.
Today, Backpack Beginnings is more than just supplies — it’s about dignity, community, and care. Families shop in our Family Market like it’s a store, children play without stigma, and volunteers help create a circle of support. For me, this is what it means to be American: lifting each other up and making sure no child is left behind.
The inspiration came from a story about a teacher quietly slipping food into her students’ backpacks. Once I became a mother, I couldn’t ignore the thought of children in Greensboro going hungry. I started small, one backpack at a time, and discovered just how deep the need was in our own schools and neighborhoods.
Today, Backpack Beginnings is more than just supplies — it’s about dignity, community, and care. Families shop in our Family Market like it’s a store, children play without stigma, and volunteers help create a circle of support. For me, this is what it means to be American: lifting each other up and making sure no child is left behind.
