Fort Wayne Community Schools
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry joined mayors across the county today in celebrating the work charitable organizations do to fight childhood hunger. The United States Conference of Mayors declared Thursday, Sept.18, as “Blessings in a Backpack Day” in an effort to support the work done by volunteers across the country. To recognize the day, Mayor Henry visited South Wayne Elementary School and assisted in packing bags of food for children to take home for the weekend.
Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that provides food to families in need over the weekend. The program started in Louisville, Ky., in 2005. In Fort Wayne, Blessings in a Backpack began in 2007 with Adams Elementary School. Today the program is offered at Abbett, Adams, Fairfield and South Wayne elementary schools, providing food for 1,700 children each week. Food is distributed through a network of volunteers and school officials on Fridays before the children leave for the weekend. FWCS partners with Parkview Regional Medical Center and Sodexo to purchase and deliver the food to schools. The food is purchased with funds provided through grants, private donations and an annual fundraiser.
In its resolution, the U.S. Conference of Mayors recognized improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have been linked to students who are well-nourished seven days a week. More than 70 percent of FWCS students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, an indication of poverty.