LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville nonprofit that helps feed school children on weekends needs a Christmas miracle and anyone's help right now.

What You Need To Know

  • Now in 55 JCPS schools, Blessings in a Backpack has helped feed thousands of children

  • However, more than 1,400 Louisville area children will be eliminated from the program in the new year

  • Organization leaders said cuts are due to a lack of funding, and inflation has caused a decline in charitable giving

  • Kim Holsclaw, Blessings in a Backpack Louisville managing director, said the organization has notified 14 different schools of the cuts

Now in more than 50 Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), Blessings in a Backpack has fed thousands of children. Historically, thousands of dollars in donations have helped it stay afloat, but times have changed. According to the program, more than 1,400 Louisville-area children will be eliminated from the program in the new year. 

“Basically, a Christmas miracle is what we need,” said Kim Holsclaw, managing director of Blessings in a Backpack's Louisville chapter. 

Every week, 10-year-old fifth grader, Rylei McCoy gets a bag full of food from the Blessings in a Backpack program at her school. Her father, Engelhard Elementary School principal Ryan McCoy, said all of their roughly 300 students have the option to participate in the program. The school normally begins participation after Labor Day, and it has been well-received, he added. 

Holsclaw said the program has notified 14 different schools of the cuts.

“Honestly, I thought I was going to throw up between each phone call," Holsclaw said. "It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my nine years with Blessings.” 

The cuts are due to a lack of funding, Holsclaw said. Inflation has also caused a decline in charitable giving.

“Donations: that’s what we need right now," Holsclaw said. "We need $250,000 just to avoid cutting these 14 schools. We need to raise another $850,000 before the end of the fiscal year.

"With the way donations are trending, I’m concerned.” 

Despite these concerns, Engelhard plans to continue participating.

“I would urge anyone that is able to donate to please donate whatever you can, how little or how much because this program definitely benefits students; not just our students at Engelhard, but all students throughout Jefferson County,” McCoy said.

Holsclaw echoed McCoy's sentiments. 

“It would bring me so much joy to be able to call those 14 programs back and say, ‘Hey, the community stepped up; they did what they needed to do to help us, and we're bringing your Blessings program back," she said.

The nonprofit suggested three ways to help: donating directly on its website, word of mouth or establishing a partnership or introduction with any charitable organization connections. According to Blessings in a Backpack, $150 can feed one child for an entire school year. 

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