Hogan-Spring Glen Hosts Blessings in a Backpack Celebration
Duval County Public Schools (eNews March 2012)
Students at Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary filled up their backpacks full of groceries to feed their families for the weekend thanks to the Blessings in a Backpack program. More than 200 students gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate this school-wide program and show their appreciation to the volunteers who make it possible...Read More
Blessings in a Backpack partners with People Magazine in their 2012 Charity Initiative "PEOPLE FIRST: Help Feed a Child"
(Feb. 2, 2012)
Blessings in a Backpack is thrilled to announce that the Louisville, KY based non-profit organization will be partnering with People Magazine in their exciting yearlong initiative PEOPLE FIRST: Help Feed a Child. Over the course of the coming year, People Magazine will highlight the program in multiple editorial pieces in People Magazine, PSAs and a feature in People en Espanol. This week's People Magazine features an interview with Blessings in a Backpack Program Coordinator, Tama Clapper who supervises ten Blessings in a Backpack schools in Gillette, Wyoming...Read More
Download the article in People Magazine
Blessings in a Backpack Honors the Memory of Reverend Martha Lewis
Blessings in a Backpack would like to honor the memory of Reverend Martha Lewis, who recently passed after a five-year battle with breast cancer. Martha started a Blessings program in North Carolina at Pollocksville Elementary School. Her passion for the program and the children that it served was passed to her daughter-in-law, Nikki Kimbleton, who supports the program in her hometown of Jacksonville, FL. Martha’s legacy lives through Nikki and all of the children she helped. Our condolences and sympathies are extended to her entire family.
Blessings in a Backpack to Benefit from Sway Opening Party
by Steve DiMattia (Oct. 7, 2011)
Blessings in a Backpack will benefit from the opening of a new Jacksonville Beach restaurant. Sway Grille will get off to an altruistic, community-minded start by donating 100 percent of the proceeds from their upcoming opening party to the local chapter of the nonprofit.
The event takes place Wednesday, October 12 between 7-11 p.m. Read more
It's All About the Kids
by Steve DiMattia (July 16, 2011)
Nanci Faulkner has followed a simple yet powerful mantra for over 40 years: “It’s all about the kids.”
It’s what drove Faulkner during her 35 years as a classroom teacher at Mayport Elementary and continues to be the force that inspires her to spend her retirement volunteering extensively for Blessings in a Backpack. Read more
Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary to Begin Blessings in a Backpack
Duval County Public Schools (July 11, 2011)
Students at Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary will participate in the Blessings in a Backpack program this upcoming school year as a result of a $6,000 donation from UPS. Read more
Hyde Grove Elementary Success with Blessings in a Backpack
Duval County Public Schools (June 15, 2011)
Blessings in a Backpack officially launched their program at Hyde Grove Elementary School with cheering students, special guests and volunteer recognition. Principal Nancy Carter welcomed all to the celebration. Charlene Shirk, Board member for BIB-Jax, emceed the event and introduced Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, who spoke to the students about the importance of education. Read more
Mayor Peyton Declares June 3 as "Blessings in a Backpack" Day
News4Jax.com (June 3, 2011)
Mayor Peyton has declared June 3rd as "Blessings in a backpack" day to help raise awareness about childhood hunger.
Watch the video
Download the proclamation
Kids get edible blessings in their backpacks at Seabreeze Elementary School
The Florida Times-Union (Feb. 23, 2011)
When Seabreeze Elementary School fourth-grader Zontranidra Hayes is hungry in class, she just wants to put her head down on her desk. She can't concentrate. But when she has a full stomach, "I feel better," she said. "I can sit up straight and listen to the teacher and do everything right." Read more
Feeding America’s Future
PGA TOUR Charities (Feb. 17, 2011)
What brought over 600 cheering kindergartners through fifth-graders to their collective feet on a Thursday morning? If you guessed Jacksonville Jaguars pro football member Adam Podlesh’s presence at the Seabreeze Elementary School’s gymnasium for a pep rally, score your report card with an A. Read more
Students Get 'Blessings In Backpack'
News4Jax.com (Feb. 17, 2011)
Many of the students at Seabreeze Elementary School receive their lunch for free. That means their families qualify for the free and reduced-price lunch program.But what about when they go home? Many of of the students may go hungry, but the solution to that problem is in a backpack. Read more
Blessings in a Backpack 'kick off' at Seabreeze Elementary in Jacksonville Beach
Jaguars.com (Feb. 16, 2011)
Blessings in a Backpack will officially ‘kick-off’ its partnership with Seabreeze Elementary School on Thursday by providing weekend nourishment to 180 school children on the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program as part of its program on the First Coast. Read more
Spotlight on Education: Hyde Grove Elementary Receives Business Support for Blessings in a Backpack
Duval County Public Schools (Dec. 15, 2010)
Claude Nolan Cadillac recently presented Hyde Grove Elementary with a $3,200 donation for their upcoming Blessings in a Backpack program. Read more
2010 Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open Results
Ticket Sales Benefit Blessings in a Backpack (Dec. 1, 2010)
Results are in from the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open ticket sales. Blessings in a Backpack supporters purchased enough tickets that we were #19 in overall ticket sales out of 137 participants. This allowed us to earn additional funds from the PepsiCo bonus pool, resulting in over $1,400 being earned for our organization. Thanks to all who supported us through this fundraising effort. Tickets are now on sale for 2011. See the article for information on how you can support Blessings in a Backpack through your ticket purchases. Read more
Feeding the hungry: New program fills a need
The Florida Times-Union (Sept. 27, 2010)
The recent editorial regarding food insecurity is a very timely and accurate account of what is happening right here in Duval County. Last year, 52.7 percent of children in Duval County public schools were on the free or reduced meal program at school. The numbers are growing...Read more
Beth Spreitzer and Claude Nolan Cadillac join together for Blessings in a Backpack
Examiner.com (June 4, 2010)
Beth Spreitzer is driven to spread the word about her favorite charity and she’s doing it in style. Spreitzer was selected by Cadillac to test-drive the new Cadillac SRX for 48 hours and then blog about her experience as part of a national promotional campaign...Read more
Members of rock band Goo Goo Dolls visit Mayport Elementary
The Florida Times-Union (Apr. 29, 2010)
The Goo Goo Dolls are known for their polished sound on hits like "Iris" and "Give a Little Bit." On Monday, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, members of the rock band, gave more than just a little bit when they visited Mayport Elementary School to support the Blessings in a Backpack...Read more
Blessings in Backpacks at Mayport, Jacksonville Beach and Seabreeze Elementary
Duval County Public Schools (Apr. 27, 2010)
Students at Mayport, Jacksonville Beach and Seabreeze elementary schools have been receiving blessings all year thanks to the contributions of Blessings in a Backpack – a program that provides students who receive free and reduced lunch with food to take home on the weekends – and the Mayport students received an extra blessing on April 26 when rockers The Goo Goo Dolls visited their school...Read more
Goo Goo Dolls rock away hunger
Fox 30 News (Apr. 26, 2010)
Students at one Jacksonville school rocked out for a good cause. The Goo Goo Dolls visited students at Mayport Elementary for the Blessings in a Backpack program...Read more
Blessings in a Backpack brings needed sustenance to families
The Florida Times-Union (Apr. 22, 2010)
As the silver pickup truck loaded with boxes pulled into the driveway of Beaches Senior Center at 8:15 a.m. on April 16, the center members began to prepare for the delivery...Read more