Quarterly News | March 2021 |
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FAST FACTS:
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Backpack Bulletin — the quarterly newsletter from the Chicago Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack! This email will keep YOU in touch with the impactful work we're doing in Chicago to feed kids who might otherwise go hungry.
This school year, the Chicago Chapter has provided over 92,100 hunger-free weekends for local kids, but we can do more. Let's keep growing and continue to prevent childhood hunger in our city!
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DIY 5K RECAP:
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first-ever "Do it Yourself" Virtual 5K Run/Walk the week of Nov. 7–15, 2020. The event garnered the support of 805 individuals of all ages nationwide and 14 corporate/family sponsorships and grossed over $80,000. A large portion of the net proceeds were allocated to support four local programs in financial need — without this funding, these programs were at risk of no longer operating.
A very special thank you to the Chicago Advisory Board for hosting the DIY 5K!
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WHAT'S AHEAD:
Join us on Monday, August 23, for the 2021 Blessings in a Backpack Chicago Classic — an exclusive day of golf, tennis, and fun as we raise money to feed the kids across Chicagoland.
With the launch of the Chicago Chapter we are excited to increase our local footprint of children being served. Proceeds from this event will help us feed kids now and for years to come!
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With nearly 300,000 children facing food insecurity across Chicagoland, the recent launch of the Chicago Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack is more vital than ever. As schools continue slowly reopen and government officials deploy COVID-19 vaccines, we have sought alternative routes of distributing weekend food.
Managing director Ed Briscoe and program manager Rosanne McGuire have worked diligently to cultivated relationships with local community organizations to fed kids at risk of going hungry on the weekends — including the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, Boys & Girls Clubs, Care for Friends, Chicago Housing Authority, Communities in Schools, YMCA, and YWCA.
We've reached 1,500 kids through these partnerships, creating over 26,000 hunger-free weekends!
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"Quotes for Good" by Jason Barnes, State Farm Agent |
Today through April 30, South Holland State Farm Insurance Agent Jason Barnes is doing a "Quotes for Good" campaign. For every new or existing client who completes an auto, home, or life insurance policy quote and mentions Blessing in a Backpack, Jason’s office will donate $10 of food support toward local program sites.
Jason has a vision for increasing the awareness of students in the south suburban area who are food insecure and need support.
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March is International Women's Month, and IBM's theme is "Women Rising" |
The Chicago Women's Networking Group (CWNG), an IBM Business Resource Group focused on leadership and professional development, has partnered with the Chicago Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack. They are hosting a virtual packing event throughout the month to help children in need rise above hunger. All proceeds will benefit the Chicago Food Fund.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Heidi Wagman |
Heidi is the program coordinator at our Jenner/Ogden programs. In honor of International Women's Month, our chapter celebrates Heidi for her continued leadership to further close the weekend hunger gap for kids.
Heidi has gone above and beyond the call of duty! She's arranged socially distant packing events in her yard during the pandemic, established a subcommittee of volunteers, hosted fundraising campaigns, and more. On behalf of the nearly 300 kids you support, thank you, Heidi. You're our SHEro!
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Please join us welcoming two new additions to the Chicago Advisory Board!
Maribeth Cleary, Senior Vice President of Health and Wellness, Patient Point
Adi Agrawal, Executive Advisor & CEO, clr80
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Reflects giving from July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
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Chicago Chapter Lead Partners |
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$25,000 to $49,999
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
$15,000 to $24,999
CME Group
$10,000 to $14,999
Antares Capital
Cigna
$5,000 to $9,999
The HEICO Companies, LLC
Emily Heisley Stoeckel
Mauser Packaging Solutions
Alan Meyerowitz
Matthew E. Steinmetz
$2,500 to$4,999
Barrington Children's Charities
Capital Group
Joseph A. DePippo
Highland Park Community Foundation
Indian Trail PTO
Robert Lissner
NXT Capital, LLC
Scott E. Prugh
Bradley J. Schafer
$1,000 to $2,499
Barrington Orthopedic Specialists
Blue Waters Foundation
Colleen Bohn
Jeff Caprini
Charlie and Linlee Elbert
CTS Impact
Celine Fitzgerald
G. F. Fitzgerald
Steve Frediani
Kim D. Froning
Jim S. Gordon
K+S North America Corporation
Bradley Keck
Joseph Keffer
Marilyn Lissner
Moraine Township
Elise Sacks
William C. Schwingel
The Stepping Stones Group
Mark Thorndyke
Jason and Lauren Urban
David and Sandra Wanger Charitable Fund
Elizabeth Watson
Patricia Winckler
$500 to $999
The Albertsons Companies Foundation
Mary Allen
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
CIBC
Gary Fencik
Christopher Geneser
Michael Glicken
Tyler Goldstein
Daniel Jenks
Susan Kane
Patricia Kelly
The Kerr Family
Gene Kim
The Willard and Anne Levin Foundation
H. John Livingston
Laura McGreal
Susan Muehrcke
Perry Family Charitable Fund
Brad Prugh
Usha Raj
Rotary Club of Wheaton, A.M.
Thomas Sawyer
Shannon Smith
Spartan Kids Foundation
Sunita Tendulkar
John Vaile
Susan Valentine
Craig Williamson
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