February 2025

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     In February, Backpacks on a Mission received $5,727.00 and 211 jars of peanut butter from Don and Connie Smith, new friends and supporters of Backpacks on a Mission. This campaign has been labeled The Don Smith Peanut Butter Campaign.

 

     The Smiths, residents of Sun City Center for several years, are a well-known fundraising team from Continental, Ohio. They have raised over $230,000.00 for the Diabetes Youth Service, an independent non-profit organization that provides educational and supportive services for young people living with type 1 diabetes, their families, schools, and communities throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

 

     Backpacks on a Mission is delighted to have this couple supporting our Backpacks on a Mission program.

 

     With their fundraising funds and in-kind peanut butter donations, Backpacks on a Mission will be able to provide peanut butter at various times during the school year. The peanut butter will be an added treat for the students at our seven local elementary schools who are at risk for food insecurity and enrolled in the Backpacks program.

 

     Throughout the school year, the funds that Backpacks on a Mission receives are used for the monthly food purchases for the students. There is no extra for special treats, such as peanut butter. With the Smith Peanut Butter Campaign, the students will be able to receive peanut butter at regular intervals throughout the school year.

 

     We are delighted to accept your peanut butter in-kind and monetary donations for disadvantaged students.

 

     The jars of peanut butter should not be any larger than 16oz. Please add PB Campaign to all checks and monetary donations.

 

Contact us at Backpacks@southshoreumc.com or call 813-677-9482

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December 2024

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     South Shore United Methodist Church/Backpacks on a Mission received a $25,000 grant from the Thomas A. Plein Foundation (TAP) on December 28, 2024.

 

     The TAP Foundation was established in Wisconsin. Its philosophy is rooted in the values, sentiments, and beliefs of its founder, Thomas A. Plein.

 

     Over the past five years, the TAP Foundation has funded 85 grants to 39 organizations totaling $1,614,100. The funds may be used for general support, public engagement, and education.

 

     Backpacks on a Mission is proud and honored to be among the recipients of grants from the TAP Foundation this year.

 

     While food insecurity is a significant problem in our schools, literacy is also a defining issue. Children who lack proper food and nutrition are at risk of increased health issues and will suffer academic deficiency. Their academic deficiency is why Backpacks on a Mission applied for the TAP Foundation grant.

 

     With this grant, Backpacks on a Mission will provide a book for each Backpack student and the pre-K students at each of the seven local elementary schools. These books, distributed numerous times throughout the school year, will be grade-appropriate and follow school, district, and state guidelines. Thus, each student can begin their library with their own books.

 

     We are delighted to accept your food and monetary donations for disadvantaged students.

 

Contact us at Backpacks@southshoreumc.com or call 813-677-9482

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November 2024

 

      On November 12, 2024, Backpacks on a Mission received a $15,000 grant from the Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring. 

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     The Foundation of Caring has been serving Hillsborough and Pasco counties since 2005. This organization has reinvested over $4.5 million into 214 non-profits within these counties. The Foundation aims to engage with local communities by providing professional expertise, financial support, and volunteer efforts. The Foundation also aims to enhance everyone's quality of life through mentorship, scholarships, and community service.

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     Backpacks on a Mission is proud and honored to be among the thirty-three non-profits receiving awarded grants in November 2024.

With this grant, Backpacks on a Mission will be able to continue purchasing easy-to-prepare nutritional food for Backpack students on weekends when there are no other resources available.

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     For these students, fresh fruit or fruit cups will be added to the menu, preserving the nutritional values of the menu items.

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     We are delighted to accept your food and monetary donations for disadvantaged students.

 

Contact us at Backpacks@southshoreumc.com or call 813-677-9482

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