Dear editor:

School is out and summer has begun so it is time to sum up the school year ’23-’24 for the Backpack Blessings of Powell program. Most importantly, the board of directors would like to shout out a sincere thank you to this wonderful community for supporting Backpack Blessings of Powell since 2011.

Backpack Blessings of Powell runs like a well-oiled machine involving different facets to supply food for those students who have food insecurities at home on the weekends. This program starts with dedicated folks who serve on the board of directors. Each person brings their own set of skills, and they get the job done. Next to thank are the fabulous and dedicated donors without which there would be no program. Each year we are financially able to feed children at four elementary schools the entire school year. And then, thank you to our intrepid volunteers who show up week after week to pack roughly 150 bags of food.  

The following is a synopsis of what is involved to keep the machine running: Board meetings to keep tabs on our commitments and managing the fundraisers; ordering, buying and taking delivery of the food; maintaining a place to store the food; volunteers who pack bags of food for each school weekend; the high school students who pick up and deliver the food to the three elementary schools; and the school personnel who distribute the bags to those children on the program. Over 20 volunteers have dedicated their time to Backpack Blessing of Powell.

Where does the money required for the program come from? Our biggest fundraiser is what has become the Virtual Pie Sale which starts the first of December, as well as donors who send money each month, clubs and organizations and grants. Thank you. Grants from various entities account for a good portion of the budget. Backpack Blessings of Powell has the designation of 501(c)3 from the IRS.

How is the money spent? All funds are applied to the purchase of food. In the beginning the organization dedicated up to 5% for office supplies, P.O. Box 1, and advertising. Some grants are offered for the sole purpose of buying equipment or the website, not for food. This year the spending accounted for less than 1%.

To sum up all of this, the board of directors again shouts out our sincere thank you for your generosity and support for Backpack Blessings of Powell program, feeding the elementary children experiencing food insecurities. 

For more information: backpackblessinsofpowell.com, or contact backblessingsofpowell@gmail.com.

Marybeth Richardson

Backpack Blessings of Powell Board of Directors