Greater Fort Myers Chamber Of Commerce: Blessings In A Backpack Receives $20,000 Donation From Suncoast Credit Union

Fort Myers FL

01 December, 2021

10:20 AM

Description

Press release from Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce: 2021-11-30 Blessings in a Backpack receives $20,000 donation from Suncoast Credit Union Funds will help provide meals for children at Tice Elementary School  FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2021) — Blessings in a Backpack SWFL recently received a generous $20,000 donation from Suncoast Credit Union that will help provide weekend meals for students in need at Tice Elementary School in Fort Myers. "We are so fortunate to have businesses that continue to support Blessings in a Backpack and our mission to help local children," said Cecilia St. Arnold, Blessings in a Backpack executive director. "Suncoast Credit Union's generous donation will help to feed school children in need over the weekend during the school year. It is generous support like this which helps make a better future possible for local children and for our community." Suncoast Credit Union Foundation's goal is to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children through scholarships and contributions to public schools, medical research and development, family support organizations and other charitable programs that directly benefit children. "Donations to Blessings in a Backpack help to feed children who aren't always sure where their next meal will come from. When they have food over the weekend, they can come to school Monday morning and focus on learning rather than an empty stomach," added St. Arnold. "We are able to provide this assistance because of the help and participation of wonderful local businesses in our community." It only takes $115 to provide meals for 36 weekends for one school-age child. This past school year, Blessings was able to feed 5,300 children. Their goal for the upcoming year is to provide weekend meals for 6,000 children. About Blessings in a Backpack A leader in the movement to end childhood hunger, Blessings in a Backpack's mission is to mobilize communities, individuals, and resources to help provide food for local school children who might otherwise go hungry. Federal government programs feed these children during the school week, but meals are not provided on weekends. Blessings in a Backpack SWFL makes sure school-age children receive nutritional meals over the weekend during the school year. Every Friday afternoon, each child receives a backpack filled with nutritious, kid-friendly, ready-to-eat items. They return the backpacks on Monday, and each is filled and ready for the following weekend. Blessings serves students through 25 school-based programs located throughout Lee and Collier Counties were served. In these schools, test scores, reading skills, positive behavior, general health, and school attendance have improved dramatically due in part to students receiving the nourishment they need throughout the week and the weekends. Kids are our future; you can help secure theirs. A $115 donation will feed a child for one full school year. Gifts of all sizes are welcome through the donations portal at https://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/ or via mail at P.O. Box 61402 Fort Myers, FL 33906. All contributions are tax-deductible. This press release was produced by Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author's own.