Monthly Newsletter | March 2021
Core News: A Letter From Our CEO
March 13, 2020. That's the day that everything changed. Everyone has their own story of what this life-altering day meant for them. For Blessings in a Backpack, it was a day we'll never forget. As we connected with our volunteers and partner schools, every call, email, or news report brought word of another school district or state-wide schools closing. Despite the disruption to our school-based distribution model, we were determined to continue providing hunger-free weekends for food-insecure kids. But...

  • How would we get the food to our kids when schools are closed?
  • How would we keep the kids we serve and our volunteers safe?
  • How would we do that while maintaining social distance?

But how? 

Without hesitation, people like you asked how they could help.

Because of your response and advocacy and the heart of our dedicated volunteers, Blessings in a Backpack quickly found creative new ways to distribute food to our kids. Our prepackaged food solutions helped minimize the touches required to stay safe. Partners understood the growing need and donated over $1.5 million to help feed kids during this global pandemic. Blessings in a Backpack was (and is) providing an essential service to an extraordinary number of kids across America who might otherwise go hungry. 

Through it all, we've continued to be one constant for kids during a time of great uncertainty. It would not have been possible without your support. Thank you today and every day.

With gratitude,
Erin Kerr
CEO, Blessings in a Backpack
Fast Facts:

As closures caused by COVID-19 lead to a rise in unemployment and poverty, it's estimated that 18 million children — that's ONE in FOUR — are now experiencing food insecurity.

Our goal is to provide 2.5 million hunger-free weekends by the end of this school. Who will feed the kids this weekend?
National Nutrition Month:

March is National Nutrition Month and at Blessings in a Backpack, we work with nutritionists to develop our menus that provide the most “brain food” protein for the dollars spent. Plus, the food we give kids is shelf-stable, easy to open, requires no preparation or access to appliances, and is kid-friendly and 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.
What's Ahead:

National Volunteer Week
April 18–22

We are asking our supporters to send a friendly note to show your appreciation to all of our wonderful volunteers. Click here to share some love for our volunteers.

Oswego, N.Y. programs
March 27

Jacksonville, Fla.
April 27
Good Apples:
Volunteers fight hunger as many homebound

Our DeForest, Wis. program is serving about 145 kids each week this school year. “I just added them up and 2,750 Blessings in a Backpack bags have gone home with kids this year.”

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
School district begins Julio's Cereal Challenge

All of the cereal collected will go to the local Blessings in a Backpack program and area food banks in memory of Julio Narvaez, who recently died recently from COVID-19 complications.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
Thank You to Our Donors:
Reflects giving from Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020
$100,000 and Up
 $75,000 to $99,999
The Calipari Foundation

$50,000 to $74,999
Clark Family Foundation, Inc. 
Community Foundation of Greater Rochester 
The Dale Jr. Foundation 
The Glass Charitable Foundation 
Grayfox Trust 
Mountain Christian Church

$25,000 to $49,999 
The Amgen Foundation 
Anonymous 
Eduardo and Leticia Azar 
Blessings in a Backpack - Fort Wayne 
Jeremy Bull 
Cape Coral Community Foundation, Inc. 
The Christopher Family Foundation 
Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation, Inc. 
James Gorman 
City of Jacksonville 
Ina Kay Foundation 
Gopi Natarajan 
New Life Wesleyan Blessings 
Newman's Own Foundation 
Dr. Phillips Charities 
PGA TOUR Volunteer Appreciation Program sponsored by Myrbetriq 
Kate and Justin Rose 
The May Jeanne and Garland Slaughter Foundation 
Derrick Smith 
Spartan Kids Foundation 
UPS-Jacksonville Employees

$15,000 to $24,999 
Carl C. Anderson and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation 
Bandujo Advertising & Design 
Eagles for Children, Inc. 
Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club 
Deborah Lindsay 
Norfolk Iron & Metal Co. 
Regency Centers 
Jocelyn H.K. Watkins 
Fred B. And Opal S. Woosley Foundation 
Charles and Christine Young

$10,000 to $14,999 
Anonymous 
Antares Capital 
Avenu Insights and Analytics 
Blue Ridge Community Church 
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas 
Cahill Construction Company 
Central Christian Church 
Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company 
Community Foundation of Wabash County 
Concordia Lutheran Ministries 
Connexus Credit Union 
The Cottage Bridge Foundation 
The Patricia Crown Family 
Darcars Toyota of Frederick 
Michael S. Davis 
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. 
ELMS Foundation 
Sylvia Ettenberg Memorial Fund 
Gatheringpoint 
The Daniel R and Anne M Harper Foundation, Inc. 
Ubong E. Ituen 
Knox College 
Lake Trust Credit Union 
Meijer, Inc. 
Meyer Oil Co. 
State of Nebraska 
New Spirit Lutheran Church 
Oconomowoc Area Foundation 
Patricia J. Parsons 
City of Rancho Cordova 
The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation 
Safeway Open 
George L Shields Foundation, Inc. 
Turn Key Events LLC 
United Way Worldwide, Fiscal Agent