Blessings in a Backpack SWFL recently received three generous donations from area organizations that will go toward feeding Lee County children next school year.

The Bobby Nichols Charity Foundation at Fiddlesticks presented Blessings Executive Director Cecilia St. Arnold with a check for $127,000. The money will help feed over 1,200 students at Colonial Elementary School and James Stephens Academy.

The League Club Inc. presented St. Arnold with a check for $15,000 that will be used to feed 150 children next school year at Golden Gate Elementary School. The donation was part of The League Club’s Community Trust Fund, which awarded over $340,000 to 35 area nonprofits.

The Verandah community presented St. Arnold with a check for nearly $12,000 raised at its annual garage sale at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Fort Myers. This money will help Blessings feed more than 100 children.

Blessings in a Backpack steps up where federal aid stops by feeding children on the weekend. Every Friday afternoon, children receive packages filled with nutritious, kid-friendly, ready-to-eat food items. Students return to school every Monday morning with a full stomach and an eager mind. In partnership with Lee and Collier county schools, Blessings in a Backpack SWFL has helped dramatically improve test scores, reading skills, behavior and general health.