The Backpack Bulletin: October 2020

Monthly Newsletter | October 2020

Fast Facts:

"The food that is [distributed by] Blessings in a Backpack is amazing because it does not require any cooking or refrigeration. Students are able to just open the package and eat it. Your program is truly a 'blessing' to our students."

Did you know that we work with nutritionists to develop weekend menus that provide the most "brain food" protein for the dollars spent? The food we give kids is shelf-stable, easy to open, requires no preparation or access to appliances, and is kid-friendly and delicious!

For only $4, you can provide one bag of healthy, satisfying food for a child who might otherwise go hungry.

Donate Today!

Vote for Your Favorite Design:

Thank you to all the amazingly talented artists who participated in our first-ever t-shirt design contest! We received hundreds of inspiring, colorful submissions—and because of YOUR participation, the Spartan Kids Foundation is donating $25,000 in support of our mission.

We've narrowed the designs down to our Top 10. Now, we need your vote! Click here to go to our Facebook page and "Like" your favorite design. The picture with the most "Likes" at the end-of-day Friday will win and be printed on Blessings in a Backpack's next t-shirt.

Click Here to Vote!

Warrior for Kids:

Millions of kids are faced with many obstacles right now. We believe that hunger shouldn't be one of them. As we near the holiday season, we want to recognize the volunteers, teachers, parents, and professions working to remove barriers and making a difference. And we need your help!

Do you know someone who is a Warrior for Kids? Odds are, you do! Click here to share their story with us and nominate them to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card. Learn more.

Upcoming Events:

"Do It Yourself" 5K Run/Walk

Nov. 7–15, 2020

Chicago

Huffin' for the Stuffin' 5K

Nov. 26, 2020

Northville, Mich.

Core News:

From a seed, an apple tree can take 6-10 years to bear fruit. During that time, apple growers provide the tree the attention and nutrition it needs. The same principle applies to the kids we serve at Blessings in a Backpack. Our mission is to provide kids with hunger-free weekends, so they are given the proper care and nutrition to become the best versions of themselves.

Tomorrow, October 21, is National Apple Day, a day that we celebrate every year. It's not just because an apple symbolizes good health, but because one little apple started something big. It started Blessings in a Backpack.

Watch: One Little Apple Started Something Big

Good Apples:

Blessings in a Backpack CEO Announces Retirement

Brooke Wiseman has informed the Board of Directors of her intention to retire as CEO of Blessings in a Backpack. This follows over eight years of dedicated service and comes when the organization is in its strongest financial and strategic position.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Waukesha County Chapter Named Small Non-Profit of the Year

The Waukesha County Business Alliance, Waukesha County Center for Growth and Waukesha County are proud to announce the 2020 winners of Small and Large Non-profit of the Year awards and the Waukesha County Advocate of the Year award.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Driven to Give: The Dale Jr. Foundation x Blessings in a Backpack

In 2019, The Dale Jr. Foundation provided 10,368 hunger-free weekends to 350 North Carolina school children through Blessings in a Backpack. No child should go hungry.

Learn more

www.thedalejrfoundation.org

How to Help Parents Who Are Struggling to Provide for...

The pandemic has exacerbated the inequalities that already existed. Organizations like Blessings in a Backpack are bridging the gap.

Read more
www.nytimes.com

Start a Giving Tuesday Fundraiser

Sometimes being a warrior means helping those that can’t help themselves. Be a warrior for kids this Giving Tuesday by setting up a Facebook fundraiser to provide hunger-free weekends in your community.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

San Jose Youth Raise Money for Blessings in a Backpack...

When Ananya Maheshwari, 15, learned about Blessings in a Backpack on CNN, she knew she wanted to get involved. She's teamed up with fellow San Jose youth to tutor students and raise money to feed kids on the weekends.

Read more
www.blessingsinabackpack.org

Bobo's Face Masks

Bobo's is donating 100% of face masks proceeds to Blessings in a Backpack, supporting our work to ensure more food-insecure children can access weekend nutrition this school year. Kid and adult sizes available!

Read more
eatbobos.com

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