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KIAWAH WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
What We Do
Backpack Buddies & Food Pantry Program
Each week during the school year, the Kiawah Women’s Foundation purchases, packs, and delivers bags of shelf-stable food to the schools we support. Every Backpack Buddy bag typically includes 2–3 breakfast items, 2–3 lunch items, and a variety of snacks to help sustain students through the weekend when school meals are unavailable.
Through the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors, thousands of children each year have reliable access to nourishing food outside of school hours. Since launching the program, KWF has grown its reach to support hundreds of students weekly across multiple local schools.
In 2025, KWF expanded its efforts by launching a summer program to continue supporting children when school is out of session. By partnering with the Charleston County School District’s Summer Feeding Program, the Johns Island Library, and local summer camps, we distribute weekend food bags throughout the summer months to help ensure consistent access to food year-round.
KWF has also broadened its support for older students by stocking food pantries at both St. John’s High School and Baptist Hill High School, providing nutritious food and essential items in a way that respects students’ independence while meeting critical needs.
Together, these programs allow the Kiawah Women’s Foundation to provide dependable, year-round food support for children and teens in our community.
KIAWAH WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
HOW IT STARTED
The Kiawah Women’s Foundation was established in 2013 after two Kiawah Island residents, Terry Weaver and Theresa Widuch, learned from the principal of Angel Oak Elementary that many children’s last real meal of the week was the free lunch they received at school on Friday—and they often went hungry until Monday’s breakfast. Terry and Theresa knew they had to act. With the help of Cary McGann as their first shopper, the Backpack Buddy Program was born. They began by packing weekend food bags for 25 children out of their homes. By 2019, the program had grown to serving over 400 children weekly at three local schools. In 2015, Theresa and Terry also launched the Teen Holiday Project to provide gifts for middle and high school students at Haut Gap Middle and St. John’s High—an age group often overlooked by traditional Angel Tree and Salvation Army programs. The Kiawah Women’s Foundation continues to grow in meaningful ways, focused on providing dependable food support that helps local children succeed both in and out of the classroom.
Board
Parents Comments
Parent
Thank you for the good work of giving us extra food supply for my child. We appreciate all of the love and hard work that goes into doing your job. May God bless you all.”
Parent
“Thank you for all your kindness and generosity. My child enjoys the treats you pack in your bags. May the Lord bless your group for the help you are giving to our children.”
Parent
“We appreciate the snack bags. The children love them and are grateful.”
Grandmother
“We enjoy the wonderful snacks that are sent home with my Grandson. We really appreciate the thoughtfulness and kindness of you. God bless you all. Again Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Parent
“The food bags are a blessing for the kids at E.L. Frierson School. We are Grateful.”
Parent
“Really love the weekly Backpack Buddies Bag”
Child
“You could add like candy and a small toy”
Parent
“You are doing an amazing job. Thank you ☺”
Parent
“Thank you so much. We greatly appreciate everything you’re doing.”
Child
“I think we should have more chips.”
Parent
“The backpack buddies are an awesome way to keep kids healthy. Our family really enjoys it.”
Parent
“The Backpack Buddies are always a big help. The only thing I can say is Keep It Going.”
Parent
“I am thrilled and grateful that this program lives on. It’s been a decade now and all of you ladies that are working with the foundation should be gratified because you have helped feed a generation of children. The kids who started with us in 2013 are now adults. Words cannot express how appreciative I am of all your efforts.”