A Small Gift Makes a Big Impact

One of Blessings’ staff members, Brent Glass, shared a touching story that happened over the holidays:

In 2018, Brent’s aunt told his then-three-year-old cousin Genevieve that he worked for Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit that helped feed kids who didn’t have “food for their tummies.” Genevieve was surprised to learn that some kids didn’t have enough food and wanted to help those kids. That Christmas, Brent gave Genevieve some gifts, including a Maddie’s Fridge children’s book and a piggy bank that encouraged people to collect change for hunger-free weekends.

Flash forward a year.

Between Christmas 2018 and 2019, Genevieve dutifully collected coins to put in her piggy bank, a.k.a. her “Maddi’s Fridge,” often asking friends and family to contribute when they visited. This alone is enough to make your heart melt, but Genevieve took it a step further. She sold some of her toys. Instead of using that money to purchase new toys, she added some bills to her Fridge. All of that effort added up, and, on Christmas Day 2019, Genevieve presented Brent with a hefty donation of $39.87 to Blessings in a Backpack.

You’ll be inspired to know that Genevieve decided to keep her “Maddi’s Fridge” piggy bank so she can do the same thing in 2020!

Blessings in a Backpack has been able to feed so many kids over the past 11 years because there’s something about our mission that resonates with people across all ages. People understand that kids don’t have a choice whether or not they have food at home to eat on the weekend. One group that we have learned who wants to help is kids. Kids who grow up with food on the weekends find it hard to imagine not having that access—and, as you can read in this story, they jump at the opportunity to help.

Brent and Genevieve, Christmas 2019.

With humor and warmth, this children’s picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger.

Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia’s fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi’s house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi’s family doesn’t have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she’ll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she’s faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi’s empty fridge.

The sales of books purchased on our website directly benefit Blessings in a Backpack. Buy one today.