Blessings Volunteers Honored With “Partners In Educational Excellence” Award

Blessings in a Backpack program coordinators Jan and Rickey Davis recently accepted the “Partners in Educational Excellence ” award from the Association of California School Administrators. The award is given annually to exemplary, school-community-partnership programs that promote effective educational performance, enhanced student achievement, and strong community involvement in educational quality. It recognizes the individual leadership and contributions of school administrators, educators, and community or business leaders involved in the program.

“It’s such an honor to be recognized for what we do,” Jan said.

Jan and Rickey are long-time Blessings in a Backpack volunteers. In 2014, after hearing a story on the news about children living with food insecurity, they decided to do something about it.

“My husband and I looked at each other . . . we didn’t grow up with silver spoons in our mouths, but we always had food in our mouths,” Jan said. “Why don’t these kids have food on the weekends?”

So, with the help of friends and family, the Davises started a Blessings in a Backpack program, providing weekend food for 30 children at Cordova Villa Elementary in California. With Jan’s strength, determination, hard work, and heart, the Blessings in a Backpack Rancho Cordova program is now feeding over 700 children in 14 schools!

From everyone at Blessings in a Backpack, we congratulate Jan and Rickey on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you from the bottom of our backpacks for all you do to ensure kids have food to eat when they’re not at school. You’re an inspiration!