Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack is making weekends bright, and this letter says it all. ✨🎒

The 2024 Season of CARing, Hagerty's annual fourth quarter giving initiative, wrapped up last Friday. From October 14 to December 13, our teams dedicated 950 volunteer hours across 33 unique nonprofits, contributing time, skills, resources, and an economic impact of $31,815 in local communities. Significant highlights this season include: - 200 Halloween treat bags distributed to at-risk youth in the Grand Traverse region - 1,434 food bags packed through Blessings in a Backpack - 45 lives saved through an on-site Versiti Inc. blood drive - 131 Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) students were read and gifted the book, If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen - 100 TCAPS students in need received educational toys, books, puzzles, and games for Christmas, plus a $25 Target gift card for additional toys and holiday meal items. It was an honor leading this campaign and witnessing the power of collective effort and shared purpose. #Volunteerism #CommunityService #Engagement #Impact #GivingBack

The Blessings in a Backpack Fort Wayne program partnered with Indiana Michigan Power to assemble and distribute 3,500 stockings filled with food, socks, and handwritten notes of encouragement for students in Fort Wayne Community Schools. This holiday effort ensures kids have what they need while feeling supported and cared for. Thanks to a generous $25,000 donation, Bloomingdale Elementary joined the program, becoming the 8th school in Fort Wayne to provide hunger-free weekends for its students. As Principal Jennifer Evans shares: “It’s really hard to focus at school. It’s really hard to learn how to read when you’re worried about food. These types of programs are what make it so our students can stay in that really great executive state where they’re there and ready to learn and they feel very loved and safe. It goes well beyond a bag of food." At Blessings in a Backpack, we’re committed to reaching every school in need—one community, one donor, and one backpack at a time.

While many kids make wish lists and circle their favorite toys, others worry about having enough to eat. One student asked their principal for their “present” before winter break. Confused, she asked, “What present?” The student replied, “My present of food – I can’t leave school without it.” Before the year ends, be the spark that changes a child’s future. Donate today to help ensure kids have hunger-free weekends in the new year. 🔗 to give: https://ow.ly/V4ul50UsYFu

Another year and another shout out to our Louisville team for raising $3.9K for Blessings in a Backpack through our Buy & Give program. Blessings in a Backpack is an amazing program that provides kids across America with food on the weekends when they otherwise would go hungry. #Justask #BuyandGive #GivingBack #Millcraft #Charity

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson isn’t just making plays on the field—he’s inspiring kids off the field too! With his new book, Jackson is empowering young minds to dream big, work hard, and believe in themselves. We’re so thankful to be one of his favorite charities and for his commitment to feeding kids on weekends. Thank you, Lamar, for showing kids they have the power to write their own stories and for making a difference both on and off the field.

Proud to be a People Driven Credit Union employee! I’m incredibly inspired by the outpouring of support for Blessings in a Backpack’s food collection drive! It’s heartwarming to see so many individuals and People Driven Credit Union come together to help ensure children in need have access to meals over the weekends. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed—your generosity makes a real difference in the lives of local families. Let’s continue to work together to create stronger, healthier communities for all. #CommunityImpact #CorporateSocialResponsibility #BlessingsInABackpack #GivingBack #StrongerTogether

Volunteering with Blessings doesn’t just impact the kids—it stays with you all day. Hear how this volunteer reflects on her time with us and the joy it brings to her day. 🎒❤️

This past month, we had the pleasure of hosting our annual Christmas gathering for MDASF. One of the highlights of the event was coming together to support Blessings in a Backpack, a truly inspiring organization with a mission to combat childhood hunger. We were proud to donate toys and funds to help them continue their impactful work. I’m incredibly fortunate to serve on the MDASF board alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues. Being part of this organization allows me to connect, learn, and grow alongside incredible professionals in our club. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!

For many of us, weekends during the holiday season mean cozy nights, festive traditions, and plenty of cheer. But for kids facing food insecurity, weekends can feel uncertain. When the school bell rings at 3 p.m. on Friday, who will make sure they have enough to eat over the weekend? Our answer is always: we will! If you could tuck a note of encouragement into a Blessings bag, what would you say to brighten a child’s weekend?