The Southwest Florida chapter of Blessings in a Backpack recently raised $160,000 during its signature event, GET FED UP. The event proceeds will benefit Southwest Florida elementary school children in the 5-county region who go hungry every weekend. The event was held at Scotlynn’s company headquarters on February 6, with more than 170 guests in attendance.

“Our second annual GET FED UP far exceeded our fundraising goals for the event and we are ecstatic to extend our reach and feed more children each weekend. From the generous donations of our attendees to our corporate sponsors, we presented an event that was both inspiring and educational and enabled us to serve more students,” said Cecilia St. Arnold, Blessings in a Backpack SWFL executive director.

This year, the “Feeding the Future of Southwest Florida Award” was introduced to recognize individuals and organizations that make a significant impact. The first award was given to Kristin and Stephen O’Donnell of O’Donnell Landscapes. Their support has made a sizable difference in Glades and Hendry Counties, and their efforts have contributed to 17,100 hunger-free weekends and delivered 68,400 meals during this school year alone.

Next, The Bridge Fund was recognized for its impact on the lives of children at San Carlos and Bonita Springs Elementary Schools. The Bridge Fund has contributed thousands of meals for students and ensured more than 57,000 hunger-free weekends.  Beverly Haas and Anne Soper accepted the award on behalf of The Bridge Fund.

Sponsors included Alair Homes, Allegretti Foundation, American Real Title, Colonial Roofing, Digital Lead Performance, Entrust, First Foundation, Global Security, Lipman Family Farms, Nor-Tech, Sanibel Captiva Bank, Scotlynn, SHEEHY strategies, Storm Smart, UES, Vistage/Key Services and W.E. Cross Foundation.

About Blessings in a Backpack

Hunger has both short- and long-term negative effects on children’s health and ability to succeed in school. Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Blessings in a Backpack will provide 2.5 million hunger-free weekends this school year for kids in 45 states and Washington, D.C. Visit BlessingsinaBackpack.org to learn how you can end childhood hunger on the weekends in your community. Visit SWFL.BlessingsinaBackpack.org to learn about what is happening in the Southwest Florida region.