Monthly Newsletter | February 2023
Fast Facts:

From a seed, an apple tree can take 6-10 years to bear fruit. During that time, apple growers provide the tree the attention and nutrition it needs.
 
The same principle applies to the kids we serve at Blessings in a Backpack.

Our goal is to provide kids with hunger-free weekends to give them the proper care and nutrition they need to become the best possible versions of themselves.

Start a Program:

If you have a passion for helping children and a few hours a week to spare, you could be a perfect volunteer program coordinator for Blessings in a Backpack.

Program coordinator Julianne said she started her program because she

"realized that kids in my child's own classroom, her friends, were likely to be quietly suffering from weekend food insecurity."


Upcoming Events:

March 11
Louisville, Kentucky

April 1
Frederick, Maryland

April 1–30
National Volunteer Month

May 5
Louisville, Kentucky 

May 19
Longwood, New York
Core News:
March is #NationalNutritionMonth, and did you know that at Blessings in a Backpack, we work with nutritionists to develop menus that provide the most “brain food” protein for the dollars spent? The food we give kids is shelf stable, easy to open, requires no preparation or access to appliances, and is kid-friendly and delicious! 

Establishing healthy eating behaviors in children is imperative as they tend to continue into their adult years. Blessings is aware of the importance of nutrition at every age and strive to find the best possible menu options for our children.
Good Apples:
More kids find food in their backpacks thanks to Discover

Discover has partnered with Blessings in a Backpack for many years, supporting our work to provide weekend food for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. In 2022, Discover pledged over $250,000 to feed 1,570 children at six schools...

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
Nichols Cup raises money for kids in Southwest Florida

For over 20 years, the Fiddlesticks community and sponsors have raised more than $15 million for at-risk children in Southwest Florida.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
Thank You to Our Donors:
Reflects giving from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022:
$100,000 and Up
$50,000 to $74,999
Champions 4 Children, Inc.
Ina Kay Foundation
Sara Lee

$25,000 to $49,999 
Bridge Fund, Inc.
Cafe of Life, Inc.
Randall Cobb
Copperhead Charities
Good News Outreach Foundation DAF-2282
Palms Presbyterian Church
Paylocity
Justin Thomas Foundation, Inc.
UPS Foundation
UPS-JAX Employees
Valspar Championships
Washington Christian Outreach
Darrel E. Wood

$15,000 to $24,999 
Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity
Anonymous
Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church
Brinker International
KeHE Cares Foundation
Scherffius Fund
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation
Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Inc.

$10,000 to $14,999 
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Arizona Association of School Business Officials
Jessica Bathon Memorial Fund
Beardstown School District
Breakthru Beverages
The Patricia Crown Family
Exelixis
James Gorman
Harbor Point Church
HEICO Companies, LLC
Highland Park Christian Church
Ubong E. Ituen
Jerome & Dorothy Holz Family Foundation
Lions of Virginia Foundation, Inc.
Lockton Re, LLC
Mallinger Family Foundation
Manistee United Methodist Church
Molex, LLC
National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)
Newman's Own Foundation
Patricia J. Parsons
Perfection Foundation Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Fdn
Sonny’s BBQ
Sysco Corporation
United Way of Lee County