Knox College students operating the local chapter of a nationwide organization will join together tonight in support of feeding hungry kids.
Blessings in a Backpack is hosting a jazz night fundraiser at Burg’s Bar and Grill.
The group will raise funds for their main purpose–providing meals for elementary school students who are on free or reduced lunch, and who may not have enough food over the weekend.
Blessings operates in a number of schools within District 205. Advisor Joel Estes says that for $80, a child can receive enough food to last every weekend for the entire school year.
Estes tells the WGIL Morning News, that he knows there are local kids that are hungry.
“We’ve got 1400 elementary kids on free and reduced lunch in Galesburg’s five elementary schools, so that’s a big number,” says Estes. ” I know as a former elementary school principal–I used to be in those cafeterias–and I would see kids. There wasn’t any complaining about the food they had on their tray, they were hungry. We know we have kids that go home on the weekend. They don’t have any food or enough food to get them through the weekend, so, that’s the idea behind this program.”
Guest bartenders, and a 50/50 raffle will be on hand tonight. Events begin at 7 p.m.
