Philadelphia, PA - 55 mayors participating in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Fall Leadership Conference in Columbia, S.C., filled up bags filled with food in support of "Blessings in a Backpack Day."
US Mayors Combat Weekend Hunger Across the Nation
Mayors and government officials throughout the U.S. stuffed backpacks with food for the students around their communities as a part of the 5th annual "Blessings in a Backpack Day." 75 city politicians joined up with local Blessings to increase attention regarding youth hunger as well as provide hunger-free weekends for children who need it most.
With more than one hundred metropolitan areas taking part in "Blessings in a Backpack Day" and in cooperation with Blessings in a Backpack — a nationwide not-for-profit which mobilizes communities, people and resources to offer meals on the weekends for elementary school kids throughout America whom might alternatively go hungry. Immediately after acknowledging the day in 2014, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton along with Green Bay Mayor James Schmitt backed and approved a permanent resolution at the 2015 annual U.S. Conference of Mayor's conference, proclaiming the third Thursday of September the yearly occasion "Blessings in a Backpack Day."
"Blessings in a Backpack is an important resource for children who may not receive nutritious meals [at home] during the weekend," said Mayor Schmitt. "Children who are well-fed thrive in school and their communities."
The National School Lunch Program offers no fee or lower lunch for twenty-two million school kids throughout the week. The plan provides as an critical source of food Monday all the way through Friday, and yet countless students return to school on Monday starving because they do not have access to adequate food throughout the weekend. Exactly where Blessings in a Backpack steps in.
US Mayors Combat Weekend Hunger Across the Nation: "Blessings in a Backpack Day"
This particular school year, Blessings in a Backpack is going to offer three million hunger-free week-ends for the more than 87,000 kids in 45 states as well as the District of Columbia. "Blessings in a Backpack Day" is a yearly chance for volunteers to work with regional elected officials to emphasize the hunger problems in their own communities.
