The Backpack Buddies Program in the Fort Dodge schools aims to supplement students with nutrient-rich foods over the weekends to help combat hunger and food insecurity.

Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma has been a supporter of the program for several years and will be co-hosting a fundraiser holiday party with the Historic Bruce Funeral Home at 923 First Ave. S. tonight.

The fundraiser will be held in the apartment above the funeral home and will feature Pampered Chef consultant Brittany Ganeff, who will do a cooking demonstration using many of the items available for purchase. The event starts at 6 p.m., with Ganeff’s demo starting at 6:30 p.m.

“We will be doing appetizers,” Ganeff said. “We’ll have a few different ones that people can test out the products and see how simple it is to make.”

Jamie Brundage is the managing partner at Bruce Funeral Home and a member of the Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma.

“I joined the Noon Sertoma group shortly after moving to town,” Brundage said. “The Sertoma group is heavily involved in the Backpack Buddies. They have other fundraisers that they do.”

Through her involvement with Noon Sertoma, Brundage decided she wanted to personally contribute to the Backpack Buddies Program and decided to host a fundraiser.

“I think that it’s unfortunate that this program is needed, but it is needed and there are kids out there that depend on those bags every week and I don’t want to see the program fail, I want to do what I can to help raise money for it,” Brundage said.

During the event, guests will be able to place orders for Pampered Chef items and gifts through Ganeff. Part of the proceeds from those sales will then be donated to the Backpack Buddies program in the form of a check directly from Pampered Chef.

In addition to the portion of the sales that Pampered Chef will donate to the Backpack Buddies Program, Ganeff plans to donate part of her sales commission as well.

“I am excited to help with the fundraiser part for them,” Ganeff said. “It is such a great cause to be able to help the kids in need and help provide them food.”

If someone isn’t able to make it to the event, Ganeff has a link to make online orders that will benefit the fundraiser. The link is www.pamperedchef.com/party/backpackbuddies.