Blessingsinabackpack

Blessings in a Backpack is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides food on the weekends for school-aged children across the United States who might otherwise go hungry. The organization was founded in 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky, by Missy Hammerstrom, who was inspired to act after a student at a school where she volunteered asked to take an apple home for the weekend because there wasn't enough food. Hammerstrom started by filling 30 backpacks with food from her own garage. Though she has since passed away, her legacy continues through the organization's nationwide efforts.

The organization operates on a model of mobilizing communities, individuals, and resources to combat weekend childhood hunger. It partners with volunteers and schools to distribute bags of non-perishable food to students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price meal program, bridging the nutritional gap over the approximately 65 hours of the weekend. During the 2023–2024 school year, the organization provided over 3 million bags of food to children at 1,270 schools in 46 states and Washington, D.C. The business model is based on contributions, gifts, and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The average cost to feed one child for a 36-week school year is cited as $175. Financial stewardship is a point of emphasis, with the organization earning high ratings from charity evaluators like Charity Navigator and Guidestar.

The impact of the program extends beyond alleviating hunger. A multi-year study conducted in partnership with Quaker Oats and Ipsos found that children receiving the food experience improved school attendance, find it easier to learn, and feel more cared for by their community. The current CEO, Erin Kerr, was appointed effective January 1, 2021, after serving as the Chief Development Officer since 2014. She succeeded Brooke Wiseman, who led the organization for over eight years, overseeing its growth from a $4 million to a $12 million organization.

Keywords: childhood hunger, food insecurity, weekend nutrition, non-profit, community mobilization, volunteer-driven, student nourishment, school programs, food assistance, child welfare