THE BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK PROGRAM

Blessings in a Backpack is a 501C (3) non-profit organization. This unique program is designed to provide weekend nourishment to children grades K-5 in Title 1 schools who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Meal Program. The program started within the Jefferson County Schools area in Louisville, Kentucky in 2005. Stan Curtis, the program founder, saw a need to help nourish the less fortunate children in our public school system, so that they could learn at the same rate as their classmates. By providing them with food over the weekend, it would increase the odds of educational success. Blessings in a Backpack started with three elementary schools in Kentucky and now serves over 50 schools across the nation.

Food is distributed through a network of volunteers and school officials on Fridays before the children leave for the weekend. The program serves children grades K-5 within Title 1 Elementary Public Schools. All students served are recipients of the national Free and Reduced Meal/Lunch program. Most of our recipients are in a household with a single parent or with parents who are classified as working poor, those individuals who are employed but don’t earn enough to make ends meet.

Our weekend backpacks include ready to eat food items: Fruit Roll Ups, Pop Tarts, Lemonade and other drink mix packs, Instant Noodles, Peanut Butter, Macaroni and Cheese, Rice, Pasta, Instant Potatoes, Dry Cereal, etc. All food choices are kid friendly. This means the food distributed is healthy, light in weight and easy for children of all ages to carry, easy to make, and non-perishable. We rely on private donors such as you to purchase this food, as well as supermarkets which give us a substantial discount.

A donation of just $80.00 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.

How We Got Started

During a charity golf tournament, Scott Fischer, John Nicholson, Austin Shanfelter, Dana Vidussi and John Toggweiler became formally introduced to the Blessings in a Backpack program and made the decision to pool their resources for the children in need in their community.

After contacting Stan Curtis about their desire to start the program in Lee County, they were connected to Tice Elementary, who had the highest percentage of students participating in the reduced fee or free school meal plan in the area.

Unable to publically announce their support of Tice Elementary, these local businessmen relied on their contacts in the community to raise the funds needed to start the program. After successfully collecting enough money to run the program for one year and seeing the positive effects on the children they serve; a board has been created and a goal established.

The local chapter of Blessings in a Backpack is striving to have 50% of all Lee County Elementary Schools funded for at least a three year program by 2012.