How does “Better than Baking” sound in these busiest times of the year?

In the spirit of holiday season giving, without the kitchen toil, the Backpack Blessings program conceptualizes a virtual campaign to fill a pie pan with donations. 

“The traditional pie sale went virtual the last couple of years, and the Powell community stepped up with donations to keep the Backpack Blessings program going,” said board member Marybeth Richardson. “The board extends a huge thank you for the support.”  

So, can the community “fill pie pans” with donations again this year? she asks. A $30 donation will fill one child’s backpack for one month.   

Along with community support, Backpack Blessings applies for grants available to programs to feed children. Many are matching grants, so donations help in many ways. 

Donations to honor a loved one, or given as a gift in someone’s name, are acknowledged with a letter from the board of directors. 

Backpack Blessings is a 501(c)3 corporation to which charitable contributions are tax deductible.

Donations can be mailed to Backpack Blessings of Powell, PO Box 1, Powell, WY 82435. For more information about contributing contact Marybeth, 307-754-5399. For detailed information, visit backpackblessingsofpowell.com.

The core mission of Backpack Blessings is to provide weekend meals to Powell elementary age children who may experience food shortages at home during the school year. A child receives food for six meals, plus snacks and drinks for each weekend. The food is geared for ease of use for the student to prepare meals themselves.

Donations go to buy food for children. Backpack Blessings pays no salaries or stipends to individuals; all work is done by community volunteers. The board has decided that up to 5% of the yearly budget can be used for administrative expense, such as postage, office supplies and marketing.

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade, enrolled in the three elementary schools in Powell, are eligible to receive the weekend meal bags. Letters are sent home from the teachers to find out if families are interested in receiving the meals. Backpack Blessings is given a number each week from each of the schools to know how many bags are needed. Teachers put the bags of food in the children’s backpacks while they are out to recess, thus keeping identities private.

Backpack Blessings of Powell is currently housed at the Union Presbyterian Church. The program is supported by individuals, businesses, churches and organizations in the community. The board of directors of Backpack Blessings has members from several churches in Powell, but takes no direction from any individual church and has its own non-profit 501(c)3 designation.