Who We Are
Blessings in a Backpack is a 501C(3) non-profit organization that provides food to children families in need. The program started within the Jefferson County Schools in Louisville, Kentucky in 2005. We saw a need for change, and our ambitious goals have continued to allow this program to grow from three elementary schools to programs in ten cities throughout the United States.
Food is distributed through a network of volunteers and school officials on Fridays before the children leave for the weekend. The program annually serves hundreds of children nationwide, most between the ages of five and eleven within Elementary Schools. All students served are recipients of the national Free and Reduced Lunch program. Most of our recipients are in a household with a single parent, or parents who are classified as working poor, those individuals who are employed but don’t earn enough to make ends meet.
Food and Services Provided by Blessings in a Backpack
Food items we provide include such items as: Fruit Roll Ups, Pop Tarts, Kool Aid packs, Ramen Noodles, Peanut Butter, Macaroni and Cheese, Rice, Most Pasta, Instant Potato Flakes, Dry Cereal, etc. All of our food is kid friendly. This means our food is healthy, easy to carry given that our children carry these items home, easy to make, and non perishable. We rely on private donors such as yourself to purchase this food, as well as supermarkets which give us a substantial discount for this food. In Indiana we partner with Meijer for our food.
You Can Help By....
- Sponsor a Child: A donation of $75.00 feeds a child for an entire school year. Contributions are tax-deductible and qualify for a tax credit for food pantries and other food programs.
- Donate a new or gently used backpack.
- Distribute donation envelopes at your organization's meetings, in your workplace or at your place of worship.
- Organizing a food drive in your neighborhood or where you work.
- Becoming a volunteer for the program nearest you.
Contact us for more information on how you can get involved.