Our mission is to ensure that every child in our community has access to nutritious food, even when school is not in session. We provide weekend and school break meal support for children facing food insecurity, empowering them to thrive academically and socially by removing the barriers of hunger and ensuring they have the nourishment they need to succeed.
DONATE FUNDS- Your financial contribution to The Backwoods Foundation helps us in our mission to end food insecurity in our communities.
BUY A BAG - You can "Buy a Bag" through the donation link or at our Carson pub to cover the cost of a student's weekend meal bag.
PACK A BAG - Volunteer your time to help us assemble bags of nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals and snacks.
SPREAD AWARENESS - Share information about this essential program with your friends and family to help increase awareness, support and participation within our community
*The Backwoods Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are 100% tax deductible EIN 99-4496865
*Checks payable to Backwoods Foundation - Mail to P.O. Box 161 Carson WA 98610
In 2016, a group of former employees from our local school district recognized that many students in our area were going without food on weekends and during school breaks when meals were not readily available to them. Motivated by this urgent need, they took action and launched the 3 Squares Program. Over the years, the program flourished, expanding to serve students across all five schools in Skamania County. Backwoods Brewing Company began donating and assisting in fundraising efforts in 2017, and in 2024 the original founders asked Backwoods to take over the program, transitioning it into a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: The Backwoods Foundation.
With the support of dedicated volunteers, we now provide approximately 120 meal bags each week to children in these five schools. Our goal is to offer nutritious, shelf-stable, and easy-to-prepare meals to students facing food insecurity and housing instability. Fighting child hunger is a challenge that requires the strength and unity of an entire community, where every action, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in ensuring our children have the nourishment they need to thrive.
Community Feedback
"We've definitely noticed improvement in moods, behavior, and overall attitudes. The students really look forward to the Friday bags!" - Skamania School Staff Member
"I think attendance has improved on Fridays (pick up day) because of the program. Students experiencing food insecurity greatly benefit from your program and I am truly grateful the Backwoods Foundation is continuing the service." - Carson Elementary School Teacher
The Backwoods Foundation is committed to equal access to services without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
This commitment applies to all aspects of our work, including the distribution of meal packs, interactions with volunteers, partnerships with schools and community organizations, and all other activities.
Our priority is to ensure that every child in need has access to nutritious meals in a supportive and inclusive environment. We collaborate closely with school administrators to provide our services with the utmost respect for the privacy, dignity, and individual needs of each family.
To protect the privacy of service recipients (children receiving weekly meal packs), The Backwoods Foundation ensures complete anonymity for participating families. Communication with parents and the management of personal information, including a child's eligibility for the Free or Reduced Meal Program, are handled exclusively by school administrators.
Meal packs are distributed discreetly by teachers, either by placing them in students' bags or inviting students to collect them directly. The foundation only receives the total number of meals required for each school and delivers these weekly to the school office for distribution.
