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.

Missy Zumwalt

Treasurer

Seattle native, Missy Zumwalt, is a long-time advocate for Seattle public school children. As co-chair of Tutu’s Pantry at Stevens Elementary she coordinates a weekend backpack program, fundraises to cover “Project Second Serving” and coordinates an annual comp program to ensure all children at the school can participate in community building events. Prior to her work at Stevens, she chaired the McGilvra Garden Committee for 4 years. Professionally, she focused her Marketing and product development expertise on luxury goods including Chanel Beauté, Frédèric Fekkai Beauté and Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath. Missy received her B.A. in English Literature from Bryn Mawr College and her M.B.A. from University of Washington. She is mother to three kids and a mini Australian Shepherd.

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.

Sara Call

Vice President

Welcome to our newest board member! Sara's bio will be posted soon.

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!

Mike Humphreys

Board Member

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.