Harcourts Foundation Grant to Deliver More Than 1,700 Meal Packs for Children in Need

The Harcourts Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Koala Kids' Back Packs Inc, helping provide more than 1,700 emergency meal packs to children experiencing food insecurity across Adelaide's north suburbs.

The funding will enable the volunteer-run charity to supply approximately 1,742 non-perishable meal packs, ensuring vulnerable children have access to breakfast and lunch throughout the school week.

Head of the Harcourts Foundation, Pauline Smith, said the grant reflected the Foundation's commitment to supporting grassroots organisations creating meaningful change in their local communities.

"One of the greatest strengths of the Harcourts Foundation is our ability to support organisations making a real difference where it's needed most," Ms Smith said.

"Koala Kids' Back Packs is doing extraordinary work to ensure children don't go hungry simply because their families are doing it tough. Knowing this grant will provide more than 1,700 meal packs makes the impact incredibly tangible, and we're proud to support such an important initiative."

Founded five years ago by long-time community volunteer Lynne Davis, Koala Kids' Back Packs works closely with school wellbeing coordinators to discreetly provide emergency food packs directly to children who need them most.

The meal packs are delivered to schools each week, allowing staff to support students without families having to ask for assistance, something many parents find difficult during challenging financial times.

Ms Davis said the grant would make a significant difference to hundreds of local families.

"Thank you, Pauline. This grant will go a long way towards feeding hungry children," Ms Davis said.

"I've worked in the not-for-profit sector for more than 15 years, and I started Koala Kids' Back Packs because I was seeing the grief and despair families were experiencing every day. Too many parents simply don't have enough food to feed their children."

"Many people assume schools provide meals for children who are hungry, but that's often not the reality. Some schools have breakfast clubs, some don't, and many teachers quietly go above and beyond to help students however they can."

"Our meal packs are designed to fill that gap. We work directly with school wellbeing coordinators so children can access food when they need it, without drawing attention to themselves or placing additional pressure on their families."

Australia continues to face growing challenges around food insecurity, with rising living costs placing increasing pressure on many households. For organisations like Koala Kids' Back Packs, demand for support continues to grow as more schools seek assistance.

Ms Davis said the Harcourts Foundation grant would allow the organisation to reach even more children.

"This funding means we can provide 1,742 meal packs to children who might otherwise go without," she said.

"Every pack represents one less child trying to learn on an empty stomach. That's a difference we can see every single day."

Through grants like this, the Harcourts Foundation continues to support community organisations across Australia and New Zealand that are improving lives and strengthening the communities they serve.