Blessings in a Backpack comes to Long Beach Elementary

For Immediate Release:::::

Blessings in a Backpack comes to Long Beach Elementary

By: Dewey Haise

October 1, 2013

Montgomery, IL: Local Elementary School Long Beach Elementary is taking the battle to end child hunger into its own hands with the help of the “Blessings in a Backpack” food program on October 10th, 2013. Last year third grade teacher Gina Parks began putting the pieces together in order to bring the program to the school. On February 1st, 2013 Mrs. Parks and her husband Adam Parks, a Naperville Financial Advisor and Local Ambassador to Blessings in a Backpack, along with a small Army of local volunteers, local businesses and staff members from Long Beach held a “Feel Good Fundraiser” which raised more than $20,000 to fund the program for the school. “We have several children on the free and reduced lunch program at our school. The fact that so many people and local businesses who didn't even know us have been this supportive and generous to the children at Long Beach is just amazing. We just can't thank them enough” said Parks.

In attendance were Members from 95.9 The River crew with DJ Danielle Tufano, Former NBA star Kenny Battle, Montgomery Village President Matthew Brolley, Deputy outreach director from Congressman Bill Fosters office as well as the staff from Long Beach and Principals Phil Murray and John Francis who were on hand to pack the backpacks which will go home to more than 50 children in need every Friday throughout the school year. Brian Graves, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Oswego District 308 would like to see the program expanded at Long Beach as well as possibly expanding the program throughout the district to help more children who are food insecure.

About Blessings in a Backpack:

Blessings in a Backpack is a 503(c) non profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucy and started with just two schools in 2005 and now serves over 60,000 students in 544 schools spread throughout 42 states and growing. The Blessings in a Backpack program is simple. A passionate parent, teacher, community advocate or corporate supporter elects to start the Blessings in a Backpack program in a local school Once a school is adopted, Blessings in a Backpack will provide the program framework for implementation. 100% of all monies raised for a new or existing school program go directly to food purchased for the backpacks. “Students who participate in the program show marked improvement in school attendance, test scores, behavior, and health. Food is an essential building block, and in this case truly is a blessing, especially to a hungry child” said Ramona Ustain, National Director and Naperville Resident.

To learn more about Blessings in a Backpack visit:

www.BlessingsInaBackpack.org