Full Bellies and Bright Futures with Blessings in a Backpack
Packing over 1,200 bags each month, this local program depends on volunteers and donors to ensure students don’t go hungry.
Many people assume food insecurity only affects certain communities, but even well-resourced school districts have students who face empty plates on weekends. That’s where Blessings in a Backpack makes a difference. This national nonprofit bridges the weekend gap by sending children home every Friday with six ready-to-eat meals—enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both Saturday and Sunday.
In the Lake Orion area, more than 20% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. That means in any given classroom, two to three children may not have enough to eat once the school week ends.
In this story, I’ll share how the Lake Orion chapter operates, the volunteers and donors who make it possible, and why this program is vital for student success. From packing days to community fundraisers, there are many ways to get involved and help feed children right here at home.
For the full story of Blessings in a Backpack – Lake Orion and how you can contribute, watch the video above or use the timestamps below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in.
00:00 – Intro
00:24 – Blessings in a Backpack
00:55 – About Zale Financial Wealth Group
01:40 – What is Blessings in a Backpack?
02:20 – What does it do?
03:00 – What do we support?
04:04 – The areas supported
04:34 – How to volunteer
04:50 – How does the food donation work
05:34 – How to donate
05:53 – Our partner
06:02 – How we do our food donation
06:39 – Why is it called Blessings in a Backpack?
06:58 – What the food donation looks like
07:56 – Why we help students
09:23 – How long has this program existed?
09:40 – The numbers
11:22 – How to reach out for advice
12:00 – The fundraiser
12:48 – Check out our website