Monthly Newsletter | September 2020
Happy National Blessings in a Backpack Week 2020
For 15 years, Blessings in a Backpack has been dedicated to feeding kids who might otherwise go hungry on the weekends. And our efforts did not stop during the spring COVID-19 school closures. Our volunteers have continued to adapt to the challenges of distributing food to kids amid the pandemic, whether they're in the classroom or learning virtually. This school year, more than 88,000 kids will receive food from Blessings in a Backpack. But, because of the pandemic, and a significant rise in unemployment and a corresponding increase in child poverty, millions of more children need our help. 

We hope you will join us this National Blessings in a Backpack Week, Sept. 14-18, our national movement to end childhood hunger on the weekends. Your participation will increase awareness of our work across the country and raise money to provide food for the hungry kids in your community.
Go to blessingsinabackpack.org to learn of the fun, virtual ways you and your family and colleagues can participate this week. Be sure to spread the word by sharing your support on social media. Snap a picture or video and tag Blessings in a Backpack. Use the hashtags #BlessingsWeek20 and #BlessingsinaBackpack.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and wife Amy joined Vera Bradley to distribute new backpacks filled with food to kids in Mooresville, N.C., during National Blessings in a Backpack Week 2019. Photo: Getty Images.
Spread the Word on Social Media
On Facebook:
Update your Facebook profile picture or video with this #BlessingsWeek20 frame. Go to your Facebook page
and tap "Edit" on your profile picture. Search for "Blessings in a Backpack" and select the Blessings Week 2020 frame. Hit "Save."
Click here to start a Facebook fundraiser to feed the kids in your community on the weekends! If you need help getting stared, click here.
On Instagram:
Looking for a simple and fun Instagram fundraiser during Blessings Week and beyond? Our Bingo Boards are the thing for you! Share the boards to your Instagram Story and collect donations. Click here to learn more.
Follow Us On Social Media:
If you're not following Blessings in a Backpack on social media, you're missing out! Catch up on the incredible impact stories from volunteers, partners, and, most importantly, the kids we serve. While you're there, be sure to click the "Follow" button!
Get Involved While You Work:
On Your Conference Call:
Raise awareness for National Blessings in a Backpack Week at your next video conference call by downloading one of the images on our website and using it during your Zoom meeting! Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Virtual Packing Events:
Your company can work remotely as a team to "pack bags" of food virtually! You’ll determine the number of bags you want to "pack," and our staff will help you create an online donation portal through which employees can give to Blessings in a Backpack and see progress towards your goal. Click here to get started.
Show Off Your Swag:
Bring coffee from home in your Blessings Tervis Tumbler, or wear a "Who Will Feed the Kids" tee to work. If you don't own Blessings gear, click here to shop. Use promo code BlessingsWeek20 at checkout for 20% off your purchase.*

*Promo code expires 9/30/20 and excludes face masks.
Ways for Kids and Families to Give Back:
T-Shirt Design Contest:
Calling all artists 12 and under! We invite YOU to design Blessings in a Backpack's next t-shirt. For every entry submitted, the Spartan Kids Foundation will donate $20 to Blessings, up to $25,000. For contest details and to submit your design, click here.
Make Note Cards for Kids:
Create inspirational note cards for the kids who take home Blessings in a Backpack. Download a printable note card template or use the paper you have at home. Donate the cards to your local Blessings program/chapter.
Film yourself talking about Blessings in a Backpack Week and how you’re donating $4 to provide one bag of food for a child. Then, do a cartwheel! Post your video to social media and challenge four friends to do the same. Use the hashtag #Cartwheels4Meals. Text "Cartwheel" to 44321 and donate $4.
About National Blessings in a Backpack Day:
Former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton packed bags of weekend food on the first Blessings in a Backpack Day in 2014. Photo: Tempe Elementary School District
At the 2015 annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Green Bay Mayor James Schmitt sponsored and passed a permanent resolution declaring the third Thursday of September the annual celebration of “Blessings in a Backpack Day.”

Since then, more than 300 mayors, city officials, community leaders, and athletes have participated in National Blessings in a Backpack Day by packing bags full of food for the kids in their communities.

“Blessings in a Backpack is an important resource for children who may not receive nutritious meals [at home] during the weekend,” said Mayor Schmitt. “Children who are well-fed thrive in school and their communities.”
Thank You to Our Donors
Reflects giving from April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020:
$100,000 and Up
$75,000 to $99,999 
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation 
Daniel Murphy 
New Albany Floyd County Education Foundation, Inc.
 
$50,000 to $74,999 
Brown-Forman Foundation 
Randall Bufford 
Community Foundation of Greater Rochester 
Community Foundation of Louisville Depository, Inc. 
Ferrara Candy 
Fifth Third Bank 
 
$25,000 to $49,999 
Anonymous 
Bank of America 
Champions for Education, Inc. 
Fabletics 
Fore!Kids Foundation, Inc. 
Holy Name Cathedral 
Minute Rice 
One Louisville 
PGA TOUR Volunteer Appreciation Program sponsored by Astellas Myrbetriq 
The Sands Family Foundation, Inc. 
United Way Of Northeast Florida 
Wells Fargo Championship

$15,000 to $24,999 
Valerie Bertinelli 
Bikoff Foundation 
Community Foundation of Frederick County, MD, Inc.
Conagra Brands Foundation 
Congregational UCC 
Connexus Credit Union 
Donne Di Domani 
Fairfax Financial 
Terri Hearsh 
The League Club, Inc. 
Louisville Parks Foundation 
PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. 
Rickhouse Marketing 
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation 
Charl and Rosalind Schwartzel 
Steve Stricker American Family 
Trustmark National Bank 
UPS-Jacksonville Employees 
Matt Wallace 
West Bay Community Charitable Foundation, Inc.
 
$10,000 to $14,999 
Beaches Community Fund 
Gibann Bunnett 
Caraway Home 
CarMax Foundation 
Casely, Inc. 
Cigna Healthspring 
Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin 
Connexus Assoc., Inc. 
Father Fred Foundation 
First Florida Integrity Bank 
Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation, Inc. 
Innovation Endeavors 
Johnson & Johnson 
Tom and Annie Kane 
Lee County BOCC 
Leelanau Christian Neighbors, Inc. 
The Light & Airy Photographer, LLC 
Limestone Title & Escrow, LLC 
Meijer, Inc. 
Micron Technology 
NASCAR Foundation 
The Newlands Family Fund 
Northstar Family Foundation Inc. 
The Oconomowoc Area Foundation 
Richmond Raceway 
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank 
Shott June Foundation 
Snap, Inc. 
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation 
St. Vincent dePaul Church 
Sysco Corporation 
Terracore Operating Company, LLC 
Welsh Family Charitable Gift Fund