Monthly Newsletter | March 2022
Core News: A Letter From Our CEO
The world may not be a safe place for all children right now, but for those who receive Blessings in a Backpack — their world is much safer than it was two years ago. In March 2020, our donors and volunteers rose to the challenge of helping us continue to feed children during a worldwide pandemic. As more and more families experienced food insecurity, we continued providing food for kids by partnering with school districts, food pantries, housing developments, and youth-serving organizations. 
Two years later, many of the innovations and partnerships developed out of necessity to overcome a new challenge continue. We continue to find new ways to reach the kids who need us. We have formed strategic partnerships with corporations and individuals inspired to make a difference. And as more companies recognize the significance of mental health; they've begun offering service opportunities through Blessings in a Backpack that creates a feel-good team experience AND removes children’s anxiety of not knowing if they will have food to eat this weekend.
Two years later, the result has been eight vibrant chapters and dedicated support to hundreds of our volunteer-led programs. Increased use of technology has brought us closer to our volunteers, as virtual meetings have brought us into each other's dens and kitchens. With more programs using our food solutions, we can offer a robust selection of healthy, kid-friendly foods in each Blessings bag. 

Hope springs eternal, and this spring in particular calls for a renewed sense of optimism as we move toward creating more partnerships, empowering more volunteers, and feeding more school-age children. Thank you for your support.  
Erin Kerr 
CEO, Blessings in a Backpack
Fast Facts:

As 64 basketball teams take the court, take a minute to consider the approximately 64 hours many children may go without food on the weekends.

Join Blessings in a Backpack this March and be part of a winning team! Here's how YOU can #BeTheMVP for the next generation of all-stars.

Blessings in a Backpack continues to focus on offering healthy options for our children every weekend, aiming to find the best sources of whole grain and protein that are also low in sugar and sodium. Plus, the food we give kids is shelf-stable, easy to open, requires no preparation or access to appliances, and is delicious! It's also "school-approved" and meets a high nutritional standard.

Click here to learn more about the food that feeds hungry bellies on the weekends.
Upcoming Events:

April 14
Frederick, Maryland

April 17–23
Nationwide
National Volunteer Week

April 28
Chicago

May 6
Louisville, Kentucky

May 19
Waukesha, Wisconsin

Hosting a Blessings fundraiser or event in your community? Click here to tell us about it!
Good Apples:
Mother shares her journey with Blessings in a Backpack

Rachel Hartling has experienced a lot. As a single mom with a school-aged son who has special needs, she knows the feeling of worry. Rachel shares how Blessings in a Backpack helped her family. “I know what it’s like to go hungry.”

Read more
waukesha.blessingsinabackpa...
Ponte Vedra Gardens residents pack food for children in need

Residents of Ponte Vedra Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, pack bags of weekend food for local children. "It gives our residents a way to give back to the community and feel purposeful."

Read more
firstcoast.blessingsinaback...
Brews for Blessings raises over $26,000 to feed SWFL kids

A large selection of brews was offered at the free, family-friendly event in Fort Myers, Florida, which raised money for the Blessings in a Backpack Southwest Florida Chapter.

Read more
swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org
Thank You to Our Donors:
Reflects giving from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021:
$100,000 and Up
Clarkson Law Firm, P.C.
$75,000 to $99,999
The Albertsons Companies Foundation
Anonymous
Community Foundation of Greater Rochester
Discover Financial Services
The Hankin Family Charitable Foundation

$50,000 to $74,999
Antares Capital
Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund
The Dale Jr. Foundation
Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation, Inc.
The Glass Charitable Foundation
Related Affordable Foundation
Universal Music Group

$25,000 to $49,999
Anonymous
ADP
Ausherman Family Foundation, Inc.
The Mark and Susan Butt Saturday Mornings Fund
The Christopher Family Foundation
Copperhead Charities
Epiroc
Florida Blue Foundation
Latin Women's Initiative
Deborah Lindsay
Meyer Oil Co.
The NASCAR Foundation
Nature's Path Food
The Oosthuizen Family Foundation
Palms Presbyterian Church
QVC, Inc.
RP Funding
The May Jeanne and Garland Slaughter Foundation
Swigert Foundation
The Matt and Fran Thornton Fund
Valspar Championship
Jocelyn H.K. Watkins

$15,000 to $24,999 
Bandujo Advertising & Design
Champions 4 Children, Inc.
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Health Care Service Corporation
Huron Valley Optimist Club
KeHE Cares Foundation
Markel Corporation Matan Companies, LLLP
Meijer, Inc.
Nonna's Garden
The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation
Craig S. Schiefelbein
Perry and Ruby Stevens Charitable Foundation
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation
Team One
Jim and Evelyn Unger
United Way of Lee County
UPS-Jacksonville Employees
Wildly Fit LLC
Fred B. And Opal S. Woosley Foundation

$10,000 to $14,999 
Allied Products Corporation
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
Bass Family Foundation
Break Thru, Inc.
Churchill Downs
The City of Frederick
Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley
The Cottage Bridge Foundation
The Patricia Crown Family
Dream Builders of NH
ELMS Foundation – Merle and Stanley Goldstein
Emergent BioSolutions
Fiduciary Real Estate Development, Inc.
Galesburg Community Unit School District #205
Gap, Inc.
William G. Gilmore Foundation
The Daniel R. and Anne M. Harper Foundation, Inc.
Ubong E. Ituen
Jackson County Schneck Memorial Hospital Foundation
Barbara Kunci
LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce
James Lawson
Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc.
The Oconomowoc Area Foundation
Oregon Community Credit Union
Donald and Patricia Parsons
George L. Shields Foundation, Inc.
Steve Stricker American Family
YMCA of Frederick County