For a lot of kids, food is their most important school supply

Monthly Newsletter | August 2021

Fast Facts:

A food-insecure household has limited or uncertain access to enough food to support a healthy life. This school year, it's projected that 13 million American children are struggling with food insecurity. That's ONE in SIX.

We are here to help. Our goal is to provide over 3 million hunger-free weekends—bags of food—for school-aged children this school year. Click here to learn how you can start a Blessings in a Backpack program to feed kids in your community.

Or, click here to donate!

Backpacks that Give Back!

Blessings in a Backpack + Vera Bradley = the ultimate give back for the school year! Every purchase of a Vera Bradley backpack this back-to-school season is helping to feed hungry kids in need. Go to our website to learn more.

Shop Vera Bradley's back-to-school essentials

From jewelry and watches to accessories and yummy snacks, click here to check out other philanthropic brands—which we love—who support Blessings in a Backpack!

What's Ahead:

August 28–29

UTR Doubles Championship

Louisville, Kentucky

September 12–13

Brighter Days Invitational

Columbus, Ohio

September 13–18

National Blessings in a Backpack Week

October 1

Swing to End Hunger

Rancho Cordova, California

October 14

Bridge the Gap Gala

Waukesha, Wisconsin

Are you hosting an event? Tell us more! Fill out the form on our website.

Core News:

Blessings in a Backpack partner Justin Rose honored with the PGA TOUR's Payne Stewart Award

In recognition of his character, sportsmanship, and commitment to charitable giving, Justin Rose has been named the 2021 recipient of the PGA TOUR’s Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company. Rose will be honored on Tuesday, August 31, at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the TOUR Championship.

“Justin Rose embodies everything the Payne Stewart Award represents,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. "The inspiring progress that he and [his wife] Kate have made through their family’s foundation is a terrific representation of how Payne chose to focus his efforts away from the golf course, by giving back and treating people the right way."

Photo of Justin Rose courtesy of PGA TOUR.

In 2009, Justin and Kate began partnering with Blessings in a Backpack to feed hungry bellies in Orlando. In 2020, due to the increased need during COVID-19, the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation founded the Blessings in a Backpack Orlando Chapter. With an initial gift of $1.2 million to start the chapter—and an additional donation of $1 million in 2021—Rose Blessings Orlando went within the year from feeding 1,625 children to almost 5,000 children on the weekends. The long-term goal is to provide hunger-free weekends for all 16,000 children in need in Orlando by 2030.

Click here to read more about the PGA TOUR's Payne Stewart Award and Rose's charitable impact.

Good Apples:

SWFL Chapter is a State Farm Neighborhood Assist(R) Finalist

Blessings has until August 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET to rally votes. On September 29, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced and a $25,000 grant will be awarded to each of the affiliated nonprofits. Read more to vote today!

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Nominate a Martin's Lunchbox Hero + Support Blessings

Martin's® Famous Potato Rolls and Bread is partnering with Blessings in a Backpack for their "Lunchbox Heroes" campaign. The goal of Martin's latest campaign is to recognize those people who make a positive impact in a child's life...

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Baltimore Orioles + Trey Mancini Foundation feed local kids!

Baltimore Orioles and The Trey Mancini Foundation hosted a Community Essentials Drive to benefit Blessings in a Backpack at the Orioles Park at the Camden Yards.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Darlington Raceway hosts Classic Car Show, Track Laps

Darlington Raceway played host Saturday, August 21, to Track Laps for Charity and a Classic Car Show that benefited Blessings in a Backpack.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

LouCity, Racing FC team up with Blessings in a Backpack

LouCity FC and Racing Louisville FC players joined in on a Blessings in a Backpack packing day at that new Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in the city.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Seniors fill backpacks for children facing food insecurity

Seniors from the Dominion Senior Living of Louisville celebrated World Senior Citizen's Day by packing 100 backpacks with weekend food. It marked a year-long partnership between Dominion Senior Living and Blessings in a Backpack.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Thank You to Our Donors:

Reflects giving from April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021

$100,000 and Up

$75,000 to $99,999

Community Foundation of Greater Rochester

$50,000 to $74,999

Fabletics

Fifth Third Bank

Town of Brookhaven Long Island

$25,000 to $49,999

Nick Advani

Blessings in a Backpack Fort Wayne

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Kahlert Foundation, Inc.

New Albany Floyd County Education Foundation, Inc.

$15,000 to $24,999

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Bank Five Nine – Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Beaches Community Fund- Northeast Florida

Cigna Foundation

Cummins Engine Plant

Delores Barr Legacy Weaver Fund at the Community Foundation

of Northeast Florida

Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation, Inc.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Eric S. Lane

The League Club, Inc.

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

Spartan Kids Foundation

Sysco Corporation

Thomas Coffee

The Tommy Bohanon Foundation, Inc.

United Parcel Service – Jacksonville Employees

United Parcel Service – Jacksonville Giving

$10,000 to $14,999

Arby's Foundation

Capital Group

Cahill Homes

Chicago Sinai Congregation

Hugh A. Fraser Fund

United Way of Frederick County, Inc.

William G. Gilmore Foundation

Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, Inc.- Diana Schmidt, Principal

Heisley Family Foundation

United Way of Lee County

Meijer, Inc.

The Rich Foundation

Stopher Elementary PTA

Texas Capital Bank

Twilio

West Bay Community Charitable Foundation, Inc.