DETROIT – Higher Hopes! has teamed with Blessings in a Backpack to expand their partnership to provide weekend meals for Head Start students in Detroit. In March 2024, 500 students were being served. Through the expanded partnership over 1,000 students will receive nutritious meals for the weekend.
Every Friday, 1,002 students at United Children and Family Head Start, Starfish Family Services, MiSide, and Focus: HOPE Head Start receive prepacks of nutritious food to ensure they have access to food over the weekend. Through this initiative, Higher Hopes! and Blessings in a Backpack aim to stop weekend hunger and provide vital nutrition for children in need. Most students in the Blessings in a Backpack program rely on free and reduced-cost lunches during the school week for healthy meals but lack access to food over the weekend.
“We are very excited to see the incredible expansion of our partnership in Detroit and even more excited to help stamp out weekend hunger pangs,” said Bill Birndorf, founder of Higher Hopes! “It’s an amazing program as only $175 will provide one student with weekend food throughout the entire school year. Higher Hopes! was founded with the goal of eliminating hunger for kids and families in need, and this is another step in the right direction.”
Erin Kerr, CEO of Blessings in a Backpack said, “We are proud to expand this essential program with Higher Hopes! in Detroit.” By doubling the number of students we serve, we can make an even greater impact on the lives of children who rely on us for nutrition outside of the school week. Together, we are ensuring these young learners have the nourishment they need to thrive in and out of the classroom.”
For more information on supporting this initiative to provide food for Head Start students over weekends, please visit higherhopesdetroit.org or contact Bill Birndorf at [email protected]. To learn more about Blessings in a Backpack, visit www.blessingsinabackpack.org/.
