Blessings in A Backpack began in Louisville in July 2005 to help eliminate childhood hunger.  With the help of USA Harvest and Kentucky Harvest, the group aims to feed the estimated 12.4 million kids nationwide who are hungry or are at risk of hunger.

The Young Professional Association of Louisville (YPAL) and the Junior League of Louisville (JLL) are joining forces to raise awareness about child hunger in our community and other communities. The event will be held at 4th St Live! on April 4th and will feature a presentation from Stan Curtis (the group’s founder), Chris Spalding (YPAL President), Melissa Marvel Buddeke (JLL President) and others about the program, how it helps the community, and how more individuals can become involved. 

Volunteers from both organizations (YPAL and JLL) will be handing out fliers about the program and representatives from Blessings in a Backpack will be on hand to answer questions and take donations (monetary, backpacks, and can goods). In addition, businesses surrounding 4th St Live will be collecting donations in the weeks prior to the event.

The goal of the program is to feed hungry children and remove barriers to educational success. Studies have shown that if children receive the right amount of nutrition, they are able to concentrate and study better, translating into better school scores and experiences. 

 
The program works like this:  The backpacks are given to children in schools who receive federally funded free or reduced lunch. The
backpacks provide six meals to school children on weekends (3x’s a day-Saturday and Sunday) by filling them on Friday with nonperishable
food items passed out to selected students on Friday and returned on Monday.  For just $75, a child can be assured enough food on the
weekends for an entire year.

Join YPAL and The Junior League of Louisville for lunch at 4th Street Live and help raise money for a good cause. The restaurants at 4th Street
Live will be donating a portion of their lunch proceeds from April 4, 2008 to Blessings in a Backpack. Mayor Jerry Abramson will be in attendance
and entertainment is by the Night Breeze Jazz Band.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a new or slightly used backpack or a can good donation
to the event.

Amy Wheeler with Tallulah Cosmetics is one of the local businesswomen involved in the charity.  She says “Knowing I can give $75 and feed a 
child here in Louisville every week/files/storyimages/for one year is so uplifting and something that I will do every year.”  







For more information, please visit www.kyharvest.com or www.blessingsinabackpack.com.