We are committed to supporting organizations throughout our communities, like Fort Wayne’s Blessings in a Backpack. Read what their team has to say about how this partnership has helped their organization serve countless children in the Fort Wayne area: 

“We are so grateful for the impact Indiana Michigan Power has had on so many children through this partnership and are excited to see how we can continue to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our community - together.” – Jama Ross, Executive Director, Blessings in a Backpack  

How would you best describe the work your organization does?

In the simplest terms, our organization feeds children in our community who are at the highest risk of food insecurity. Every Friday, children in our schools are given a “Blessings Bag,” which contains nutritious food to sustain them through the weekend. We believe that providing food to children who might have otherwise gone hungry is the foundation to so many other issues that we must build on. We cannot expect children to perform inside the classroom if their basic needs are not being met outside of the classroom.

What audience does your organization commonly serve?

Over 70% of children in Fort Wayne Community Schools are battling food insecurity. Many of the schools that we are implemented in are far above this, in the 90 – 98% range. We serve the most vulnerable and ensure children can eat throughout the weekends regardless of an able/willing adult in the home, access to appliances or other barriers.

How would you describe your organization’s partnership with I&M?

We are thrilled to have a partnership with I&M that meets both financial needs as well as community engagement. I&M supports our feeding program through the generosity of their dollars. This monetary gift provided food bags for over 3,174 children last year. The employees also give their time packing gift bags to be distributed to kids in our school system. 

In what ways have you worked with I&M during this partnership?

Our most recent partnership was for our holiday “Believe Bags.” This program is designed to fight the stigma that comes with food insecurity, specifically poor self-esteem that develops when vulnerable children are noticing a season of abundance that is lacking their lives. During these times, we strive to not only provide extra in means of food and a special gift, but most importantly, a message given to each child to remind them that we believe in them, their dreams and their worth. I&M’s employees stuffed hundreds of stocking stuffer bags, which included snacks, a new pair of socks, gummy bears, holiday favors and message reminding each child that the community is rooting for them. The feedback we received from these “Believe Bags” has been phenomenal. Children are incredible responsive to the gift bags – many had never had a new pair of socks before – but more so, the message in each bag. We received feedback from guidance counselors that some kids keep these messages in their backpacks still to remind them that someone in their community cares.