Blessings in a Backpack SWFL asking for donations for Ian recovery

Blessings in a Backpack SWFL has fed nearly 10,000 children since Ian passed through Southwest Florida.

The storm left many families in need, especially those where children have a hard time finding food on weekends when school is out.

“many children and families in Southwest Florida are food insecure, and Hurricane Ian has served to exacerbate this issue,” Cecilia St. Arnold, executive director for Blessings in a Backback SWFL, said in a a press release.

Blessings in a Backpack is asking the community to donate to help those efforts.

Estimates show that nearly 2,000 children in the community have been displaced because of Ian.

“Blessings and our partners are so grateful to be able to come together and find alternative ways to focus on what is truly important, getting these children access to food during this disaster,” St. Arnold said.

Blessings in a Backpack provides food for children every Friday to feed them over the weekend when they are not receiving meals during school.

Now with classes shut down and schools in need of repair, students have not been able to rely on daily meals.

“It is imperative, now more than ever, to support local charities. A donation of only $130 will provide meals for 36 weekends for one school-age child,” said St. Arnold.