Blessings in a Backpack making sure hundreds of kids on school lunch programs have food on the weekend
-
2:31
Man accused in fatal hit-and-run that killed 4-year-old had...
-
4:11
UW-Milwaukee encampment continues, protesters hold Muslim prayer,...
-
2:16
’No vet care, no food, no water’: Animals seized from sanctuary...
-
3:03
Mothers of Milwaukee Symposium to host inaugural event that includes...
-
1:45
At burn training, one Kenosha firefighter lives out a dream
-
1:00
Potawatomi Casino Hotel celebrates grand opening of sportsbook,...
-
1:21
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Chucho’s Red Tacos this Sunday
-
0:57
Weigel Broadcasting to launch MeTV Toons, new network dedicated...
-
4:59
CBS 58’s Feel Good Fridays: Museum member swap, Star Wars art...
-
2:49
Meet CBS 58’s Pet of the Week: Stealth
-
0:54
Lake Express ferry leaves Milwaukee terminal for first time of...
-
2:58
Drying out today, but another quick round of storms is expected...
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It was something that was always on Regina Estrada's bucket list.
"I knew that after retirement, I wanted to volunteer," the Waukesha County woman tells CBS 58 News.
Now five years later, Blessings in a Backpack is serving the growing need for food among children who rely on school for their meals.
Some might think there isn't hunger in Waukesha County. Estrada says that just isn't the reality they see.
"We have 4,600 kids in grades K-5 eligible for free lunch at school which is our starting point," explains Estrada. "We had one girl tell us that she was so glad to get this food on the Friday before going home because sometimes her grandma wouldn't have enough money to buy them food over the weekend."
Estrada and a group of friends started Blessings in a Backpack in Waukesha County in 2012.
They had read an article in People Magazine about it being the best charity of the year.
"We started with 25 kids in the first three years," recalls Estrada. "Now we feed 1,200 children at five schools in Waukesha and five schools in Oconomowoc."
All the money raised goes to food for children.
The group is 100% volunteer and relies on exposure on local television to raise donations and find volunteers who will pack and deliver the food.
For more information click here.