Dunwoody-based Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta announced the hiring of Denise Bjurholm as its first executive director.
According to an announcement by the organization, Bjurholm “brings with her a wealth of experience, boasting over a decade of dedicated service in the nonprofit sector including various executive and leadership positions.”
“Her expertise spans grant writing, operational management, and strategic development, making her a formidable asset in our mission to combat hunger,” the announcement continued.
Bjurholm previously served as the president of the board of directors at Kind Mouse, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing food insecurity among children in Pinellas County, Florida.
Backpack Buddies grew from humble beginnings in 2017 and officially launched as a 501(c)3 organization in 2022. It has grown from serving 800 food-insecure children a week with weekend meals to more than 1.600 a week in 2023. Its goal for the end of 2025 is to serve 2,500 children in need each week.
The organization, located in the Williamsburg at Dunwoody Shopping Center, recently expanded into an additional 4,000-square-foot space, which allowed it to triple its storage capacity.
The typical “backpack,” which is actually delivered in a grocery bag, contains six meals that includes fruits, vegetables, protein and snacks, enough to cover the needs of each child over the weekend. Backpack Buddies does not vet the potential recipients, instead relying on the educational institutions to determine eligibility.
For more information about assisting with BPBMA’s mission, visit www.backpackbuddiesatl.org.
