Monthly Newsletter | December 2021 |
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Happy holidays and warm wishes for the New Year from everyone at Blessings in a Backpack! ⛄
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Fast Facts:
Letters like these are why we do what we do — give bags of ready-to-eat weekend food to children who might otherwise go hungry. Did you know that 78% of children who receive Blessings in a Backpack say they feel cared for by their community?
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and providing for kids who struggle with food insecurity is no different. Are you interested in starting a Blessings program to feed kids at a school near you? Click here to learn more.
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Giving Tuesday update:
We set a Giving Tuesday goal of $200,00 this year. Because of your generous support, we surpassed it, raising more than $277,000—the single biggest fundraising day in the organization’s history!
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Last Chance For "Socking" Stuffers!
We've partnered with Bloom to create ultra-soft Blessings in a Backpack socks. These socks are limited-edition and make great gifts. Every purchase goes directly to feeding kids on the weekends. Click here to shop.
Tied to a Cause:
Shop today and 25% of the purchase price will support our mission.
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You've likely heard the song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," which shares many reasons why kids and adults alike count down the days to winter break! But for some children, long holiday breaks, like the one ahead, can bring stress, anxiety, and hunger.
Long-time Blessings in a Backpack volunteer Jenny Alvey recently shared a life-changing conversation that she had with her aunt, a teacher at a Title 1 school, over winter break many years ago:
"[My aunt] said something would change my life and the life of my family forever. She said, 'I worry my students are not getting enough food to eat over the break. Two weeks is a long time for some kids because they don't have enough food at home.' I made her repeat it to me. I was dumbfounded. My children were so happy and excited about the break from school. And I had no idea that children hated when school was on break because they would not have enough."
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Millions of American children struggle with food insecurity—meaning they lack consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life. Consider supporting Blessings in a Backpack this holiday season, and, together, we can ensure kids have enough to eat when they leave school on Fridays.
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Important Info About Year-End Giving |
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*This includes gifts of stock. If you have questions about giving stock before year-end, please email Brent.
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Buffalo Bills Fans Recognized at the Musial Awards
In January, Will Burke and Dan Konopski took to social media to encourage Bills fans to donate to Blessings in a Backpack. The Musial Awards will air throughout the country on CBS Christmas Day, December 25, at 5pET.
Read more
musialawards.com
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Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation Feeds First Coast Children
At the 10th annual Hope for the Holidays event, volunteers packed 5,000+ holiday bags filled with food. The bags were donated to nonprofit organizations serving the First Coast community, including Blessings in a Backpack.
Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
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Volunteers Pack Blizzard Bags for Frederick Chapter
Over a dozen volunteers gathered at MAD Fitness in Frederick, Maryland, to pack over 3,000 bags of weekend food for children in need.
Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
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Holy Spirit Helps To Ease Childhood Hunger Close To Home
Every other Sunday after Mass, Holy Spirit parishioners and school families have been packing and delivering Blessings in a Backpack food to Dunn Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky.
Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
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Reflects giving from July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021: |
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$75,000 to $99,999
New Life Wesleyan Church
$25,000 to $49,999
Anonymous
The Bridge Fund, Inc.
Brighter Days Foundation
Butcher Box
Community Foundation of Greater Rochester
Fore!Kids Foundation, Inc.
Ina Kay Foundation
Inspire Brands Foundation
KFC. Inc.
Name Bubbles
The Trey Mancini Foundation, Inc.
Tricia Neville Revoir, LLC
Zurich North America
$15,000 to $24,999
Cafe of Life, Inc.
The City of Rancho Cordova
Frederick County, Maryland
Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club
General Motors Foundation
The Pokagon Fund, Inc.
The Primerica Foundation
Tiffany & Co.
Turn Key Events LLC
UPS JAX Employees
United Way of Lee County
Washington Christian Outreach
$10,000 to $14,999
Anonymous
Helping Others and Giving Hope, Inc.
Knox College
Koch Companies Community Fund
Locke Lord LLP
Mallinger Family Foundation
More Than a Backpack
Paylocity
Portland Timbers Community Fund
Rodar LLC
Southwest Gas Corporation Foundation
Universal Music Group
Vantiv Womens Business Network
David R. and Cheryl L. Venarge Fund
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