Blessings in a Backpack facts for kids

Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that helps feed school children in the United States. These children usually get meals at school during the week through a special program. But on weekends, they might not have enough to eat. This organization steps in to make sure they have food when school is out.

What is Blessings in a Backpack?

Blessings in a Backpack works to stop hunger among elementary school children. Their main goal is to get communities, people, and supplies together. This way, they can give food to kids across America who might otherwise go hungry on the weekends. The program focuses on young children whose families struggle to afford enough food.

Why is this program important?

Having enough food helps kids in many ways. When children get food from Blessings in a Backpack, good things happen. They often show better test scores at school. Their reading skills can improve, and they might behave better in class. Staying healthy is also easier when you have enough to eat. Plus, kids are more likely to attend school regularly. All these positive changes are linked to the success of this program.

How many children are helped?

As of March 2016, Blessings in a Backpack was helping many children. They were feeding over 88,000 kids. This help reached children in 46 states and Washington, D.C. The program was active in 950 schools across the United States.

How the program got noticed

Blessings in a Backpack became more widely known thanks to a famous person. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a well-known race car driver, helped them out. He once tweeted about a mayonnaise-banana sandwich, which got a lot of unexpected attention. He then used this attention to ask his fans to donate money to Blessings in a Backpack. Dale Earnhardt Jr. even promised to match donations up to $50,000. This helped the organization raise a lot of money and reach more people.