Article

Blessings in a Backpack

January 19, 2023

The LindaBen Foundation has added Prince George’s County in addition to Howard County in its partnership with Blessings in a Backpack!

The logo for blessings in a backpack who will feed the kids this weekend

The Blessings in a Backpack program provides essential food every Friday to children who may otherwise go hungry over the weekend. Schools provide food to kids regularly throughout the week, but what happens when they go home on the weekend? That’s where Blessings comes in.

In Prince George’s County , we plan to feed kids at Beacon Heights and Cooper Lane Elementary Schools. In Howard County, we plan to feed kids at Laurel Woods Elementary, Harper’s Choice Middle School, and Longfellow Elementary. There are a significant number of food-insecure students at these schools, those are kids who might not know where their next meal will come from.

In fact, 86% of the students in those Prince George’s County schools require free or reduced lunches , and 839 of the 1,631 students across the three schools in Howard County are food-insecure. That’s 51.4%! Thankfully, through Blessings in a Backpack LindaBen HoCo, you can provide kids the nutrition they need to grow, learn, thrive, and to be a kid.

The organization provides more than 3 million hunger-free weekends to students in more than 1,000 schools, throughout 45 states and the District of Columbia. Blessings in a Backpack is a national organization, but each local program is responsible for raising its own funds, budgeting accordingly, and delivering food to identified children each week.

The Blessings in a Backpack program powered by the LindaBen Foundation in Howard County feeds 75 kids every Friday of the school year. Over the course of one year, we provide more than 2,600 hunger-free weekends to food-insecure kids at  Laurel Woods Elementary (LWES) ,  Harper’s Choice Middle School (HCMS) , and  Longfellow Elementary (LES).

Thank you in advance for supporting our kids. If you have any questions about how we feed kids in our community, please reach out to Annabelle Beavan at  abeavan@lindabenfoundation.org. Just $130 feeds a child every weekend for an entire school year! Every donation has a major impact and is always appreciated. Please note all donations are tax-exempt.

Our Mission

Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry.

Our Vision

Every school-aged child in America has the nourishment needed to learn and grow. As a leader in the movement to end childhood hunger, Blessings in a Backpack strives to ensure children do not go hungry on the weekends by empowering individuals and communities to take action.

Our Impact

Blessings in a Backpack has partnered with Quaker Oats and Ipsos, a leading global market research company, on a national evaluation project that measures program impact on a deeper level than bags and pounds of food distributed. This project involved various Blessings’ stakeholders, such as children and teachers, in the evaluation process. Surveys found that, in addition to no longer feeling weekend hunger pangs, children fed by Blessings experience the following impact on their lives:

  • 78% of kids feel cared for by their community.
  • 71% of kids feel that Blessings is helping their family.
  • 60% of kids have fewer behavioral issues.
  • 60% of children report that their school attendance is better.
  • 59% find it is easier to learn at school
Our Story – How One Little Apple Started Something Big

In 2005, Missy Hammerstrom was volunteering and eating lunch with the kids at an elementary school in Louisville, Kentucky, when a little girl asked if she could have Missy’s apple. Missy asked why. The girl said she wanted to take the apple home so she would have something to eat over the weekend.

Missy, inspired to prevent childhood hunger on the weekends, teamed up with community leaders to start the first Blessings in a Backpack program at Roosevelt Perry Elementary School in Louisville. The program quickly grew throughout the city and commonwealth of Kentucky.

In December 2008, Blessings in a Backpack opened its first program outside of Kentucky and became a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Since then, Blessings in a Backpack has provided  23.5 million hunger-free weekends (bags of food) for more than 838,600 kids nationwide!  Factor in dedicated volunteers, partners, and staff, and over 1 million lives have been impacted by our mission… and counting!

Click Here if here and contact us to get involved with Blessings in a Backpack – LindaBen HoCo.

share this

Related Articles

TLF Healthy Foods January 2025 Newsletter

By Annabelle Beavan • December 26, 2025
🥦 January Nutrition Tips Start the year strong with simple, nourishing choices

TLF Healthy Foods December 2025 Newsletter

By Annabelle Beavan • December 26, 2025
December Nutrition Tips Seasonal produce choices: Lean into winter fruits and vegetables like citrus, pomegranates, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts for peak flavor and nutrients. Hydration in cold weather: We often forget to drink enough water in winter; warm herbal teas and broths help keep fluids up. Balanced holiday eating: Enjoy festive treats, but anchor your day with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to stay energized. Immune‑supporting foods: Add garlic, ginger, yogurt, leafy greens, and citrus to support your immune system during cold and flu season. Smart party planning: Eat a balanced snack before gatherings so you're not overly hungry when you arrive. Nourishing winter soups: Broth‑based soups with vegetables, beans, or lentils are warming, filling, and nutrient‑dense. Mindful holiday beverages: Seasonal drinks like hot cocoa and flavored lattes can be high in sugar-enjoy them intentionally. Movement for digestion: Short walks or stretching sessions help with digestion and energy during busy holiday weeks.

TLF Healthy Foods November 2025 Newsletter

By Annabelle Beavan • November 3, 2025
November Nutrition Tips November is all about cozy meals, immune support, and making the most of late fall produce before winter sets in. Here’s how to stay nourished and energized as the days grow shorter: 🥦 Seasonal Produce to Prioritize Brussels sprouts – High in fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants. Roast with olive oil and garlic. Sweet potatoes – Rich in beta-carotene and complex carbs. Great for mashing, roasting, or adding to stews. Cranberries – Packed with vitamin C and polyphenols. Use fresh or dried in salads, oatmeal, or sauces. Cauliflower – Versatile and nutrient-dense. Try it roasted, riced, or blended into soups. Apples & Pears – Still in season and perfect for baking, snacking, or simmering into compotes. 🧣 Immune-Boosting Strategies Vitamin D – With less sunlight, consider fortified foods like milk, cereal, or mushrooms. Zinc-rich foods – Beans, nuts, and whole grains help support immune function. Probiotics – Yogurt, kefir, and fermented veggies like sauerkraut keep your gut healthy. 🥘 Smart Comfort Food Swaps Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in dips and mashed potatoes. Make stuffing with whole grain bread and add chopped veggies for fiber. Choose roasted veggies over creamy casseroles for lighter sides. 💡 Bonus Tip: Prep for Holiday Eating Eat a balanced breakfast to avoid overindulging later. Stay hydrated—cooler weather can mask thirst. Focus on portion control and savor seasonal flavors mindfully.