Foundation Trust’s Challenge Match supports Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program

  The Foundation Trust is offering a Challenge Match to help support the expansion of Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program. The Foundation Trust will match up to $10,000 of funds raised for the program in 2022. The Foundation Trust is the leading sponsor of Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program, which provides snacks and nutritious food for school-age children in Everett.

  The Challenge Match from the Foundation Trust will match 50 percent of every one-time contribution to the program in 2022, up to $5,000. In addition, the Foundation Trust will offer a 100 percent match of every recurring donation received during the year, up to a combined match of $10,000. These funds will enable Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program to grow to serve more students in need. Interested community members can learn more and donate by visiting https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E333299&id=41.

  To address a growing need for nutritious food for school-age students, Bread of Life distributes backpacks filled with food to Everett students on a regular basis each month. Bread of Life works with school principals and guidance counselors who identify students struggling with poverty and food insecurity and distribute the backpacks. Backpack items include snacks, juice boxes, crackers, peanut butter, cereal, milk boxes, noodle bowls and other nonperishable food items. Bread of Life also provides blankets, gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers, towels, toothbrushes and other supplies as needed. With the support of the Foundation Trust, more than 5,000 backpacks have been distributed to Everett students to date.

  “It’s disturbing to think about the financial strain some parents are under week after week to pay bills and make sure their kids are fed; the nutrition backpacks put good nutrition into the hands of the kids at school and help the rest of the family at home,” said Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack. “We are extremely grateful that The Foundation Trust is providing the challenge grant to grow this program.”

  “We started this partnership with Bread of Life before the pandemic started, and unfortunately the need for the backpacks has grown considerably since that time. Bread of Life has risen to the challenge, and we are honored to be a small part of their tremendous work addressing food insecurity in our communities,” said Foundation Trust Executive Director Dr. Joseph Spinazzola. “Through this Challenge Match, we hope to assist Bread of Life in establishing lasting partnerships with individuals, families, and local businesses in Everett and the surrounding communities to ensure the sustainability of this vital program for years to come.”