Despite 2020 being a year more different than any of us expected, Blessings in a Backpack continues to provide weekend nutrition to our 14 different schools in Kankakee County.

Last spring when restrictions were imposed, we switched to providing children with pre-packaged food kits instead of packing individual items on Wednesday nights. We will continue to use the prepacks for now, but we really miss the fun and camaraderie of packing nights! Deliveries to our schools will begin this week.

Last spring, we began planning a “mini golf outing” fundraiser and were disappointed to have had to cancel it (but we WILL do it at some point!). Our Advisory Team was not deterred, however, and did an online fundraiser through social media that raised approximately $10,000 in just a few days. We’ve also received donations from individuals and churches, as well as grant money from the national Blessings in a Backpack organization as well as locally through the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley via their Community Works grant.

With all of that…

BIB is 80% funded for the 2020-2021 school year!

Normally at this point in the year, we are at around 50% funding. This community has come through and shown that it cares about its vulnerable and hungry children.

Our goal is to be fully funded by the end of 2020. Are you up for the challenge?

Donations to BIB can always be made electronically or by check mailed to: Central Christian Church, PO Box 403, Bourbonnais, IL 60914. And, if you’d rather be creative and join with a group of friends, family, or coworkers to raise money, send us links and pictures of what you’re doing. It takes a community working together to make sure the kids get fed this weekend.