Overview | Backpack Brigade

About Backpack Brigade

Our Story

Backpack Brigade was founded in 2014, when volunteers were surprised to learn that a significant number of Seattle school children face hunger each weekend. Many displaced students rely solely on the free breakfasts and lunches they receive at school, so weekends and breaks leave them without a reliable source of food.

Now, every Friday during the school year, our volunteers pack bags of nutritious, easy-to-eat food and drop them at area K-8 schools, where they are distributed to students in need. In addition, boxes of healthy snacks are delivered to area high schools for hungry older teens. Powered by volunteers and strengthened through donations and sponsors, Backpack Brigade aims to provide better food to more of Seattle’s hungry children each weekend.

We are proud to be a recognized and licensed 501(c)(3) charitable organization, tax ID 47-4086877

Teachers are saying

"Rarely am I able to hand families something tangible that can effect immediate change. Handing out the backpacks of food does just that. It has become something to look forward to for many students. We are incredibly lucky to have Nichelle and the Y supporting our community!"

The Schools We Serve

We regularly feed kids from in over 26 elementary and K-8 schools, from North Seattle to South.

Special Covid-19 Meal Service

During the coronavirus pandemic we are supporting the Seattle Public Schools' plan for providing student meals, including meal delivery at all of their 26 distribution sites. For full details click here.

Our Board

Nichelle Hilton

Executive Director

Nichelle felt the call to start the program after being moved by the documentary "A Place at the Table". She and several volunteers started by delivering eight bags to a local school and since then have grown the program into what it is now. She has always worked for the benefit of children and always at non-profit. She has five daughters, runs a farm, and loves books and animals.

Sara Call

Vice President

Sara Call is a teacher in Seattle Public Schools and has been working with students from diverse backgrounds for over 20 years.

Aga Scheurich

Board Member

Aga Scheurich was introduced to Nichelle and Backpack Brigade through her employer, Homestreet Bank, in 2014. Shortly after, inspired by the organization’s involvement in the local community, she and her colleagues started delivering bags of food to local schools. Aga was born in Poland and moved to Seattle in 2011. She received her MA in International Relations from Wroclaw University of Economics in Poland and has since worked in the marketing and banking fields. In her free time she enjoys taking long walks, traveling and reading.

Mike Humphreys

President

Mike has been helping Backpack Brigade since its early days based out of the YWCA East Cherry location in Seattle. Mike enjoys supporting Nichelle and the BB team as it makes a difference in as many kids’ lives as possible.

Professionally, Mike was with Microsoft until January 2020, having spent almost 20 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, he built & ran the finance & business development teams in Turn 10 Studios, part of Xbox, through a period of substantial business & franchise growth. Among his previous Microsoft roles, Mike worked in Business Development in Microsoft Dynamics, and was a instrumental player in the founding team of Microsoft Capital in the early 2000s. Prior to Microsoft, Mike enjoyed a long career in banking, with his most recent positions including serving as President of UPS Capital Global Trade Finance and, before that, as Vice President of a BankAmerica portfolio company in New Delhi, India. Mike’s education is in Finance, with a BA in Finance from Florida Atlantic University, and he grew up in Vienna, Austria and Spring Valley, NY.

On the personal side, Mike lives in Seattle with his wife Barbara, and travels extensively. Personal pursuits include open water endurance swimming, bicycling, and writing.

Abbee Hilton

Secretary

Abbee Hilton grew up volunteering for her mom’s projects, and that has never stopped. She is passionate about children’s rights, and Backpack Brigades mission to feed hungry children. She is getting her masters in health administration with a focus on finance, and currently works in financial investments. She loves to travel, read, and has seen every movie made (almost). Welcome our new board secretary!

Lisa Yanone

Board Member

Lisa was first introduced to Backpack Brigade through her employer, HomeStreet Bank, in 2016. Lisa started out as a volunteer driver, delivering bags of food weekly. Lisa was born in Canada and moved to Seattle in 2011. Professionally, Lisa has been working in the banking industry for more than fifteen years. She loves movies, music, and going for walks.

Join Us!

We are looking for amazing people like YOU to join our board and help us fight child hunger in Seattle. Contact us to apply.

Treasurer

click for details

We are looking for a treasurer to join our board. The Treasurer is responsible for oversight of the financial affairs of Backpack Brigade. Partnering with the Exec Director and the President, the Treasurer ensures financial controls, information, and processes suitable to BB’s and its stakeholders’ needs are in place and functioning properly. Time commitment for the Treasurer role is expected to be less than five hours per month once certain set-up work has been completed. Click below to contact us to apply.

Marketer

click for details

We are looking for a marketing professional to join our board. This position is to propel our image, branding and name into mainstream society. You’ll bring new creative ideas to our organization. This position has a lot of latitude and is ideal for someone who enjoys being creative and taking the initiative. Click below to contact us to apply.

Lawyer

click for details

We are looking for a lawyer to join our board. As a member of Backpack Brigade, you will serve as a liaison between the board of directors and the rest of the organization. You will apply and offer specialized legal knowledge, skills, and perspectives. Click below to contact us to apply.

Fundraiser

click for details

We are looking for a fundraiser to join our board. The main role and responsibilities are to provide leadership, financial support, and connection to donors and potential donors. The ideal candidate needs to be prepared to effectively pursue the fundraising goals the board establishes. Click below to contact us to apply.

Nutritionist

click for details

We are looking for a nutritionist to join our board. This position is to advise on the seasonal menus for our student bags and use your expertise to suggest new kid-friendly items, within strict budget guidelines. Click below to contact us to apply.