September 6, 2022 – Big Blue Backpacks, a Millikin University-based organization seeking to address food insecurity among children and families in the Decatur community, will begin its seventh year of operation with a new advisor at the helm.
With the support of private donors in the community, as well as local agencies, Big Blue Backpacks provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to children in an effort to ease hunger and related academic deficits. In 2020, Big Blue Backpacks began providing a weekly food supply for the Little Food Pantry outside of the Dennis Lab School Kaleidoscope Campus during both the academic year and summer months.
The program, which recently completed its sixth year of providing nourishment to students in need at Dennis Lab School and newly expanded service to American Dreamer STEM Academy, announced that Mary Garrison, retired professor of social work at Millikin, will transition her role as advisor to campus chaplain Marty Brilley. Garrison spoke fondly of her time overseeing the program, noting that she expects it will continue to expand its reach under the leadership of dedicated Millikin students.
“I have big dreams that we could have a big semi truck that would be filled with bags — we could help students at all schools,” Garrison said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
The program’s student leadership board along with DPS Foundation representatives were present at a kickoff event hosted at Dennis Lab School last week. This year, Big Blue Backpacks will serve 100 students with food items purchased by the organization and packed into food bags for over-the-weekend nourishment.
Each bag provided by Big Blue Backpacks contains 10 food items for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. Common items include granola bars, oatmeal, breakfast bars, noodles, soup, canned vegetables, pasta, tuna, macaroni, gummy bears, fruit snacks, pudding cups, and fruit cups.
Big Blue Backpacks started providing bags of food for students in need in September 2016. Ever since, the organization has continued to raise funding through generous private donations, community agency donations, fundraisers, as well as through support from the WSOY Food Drive. All money raised goes directly to the food that the organization provides to students, without any overhead expenses.
“When the idea of Big Blue Backpacks was born seven years ago and our first team took a year to develop an effective process, I knew it would be successful. Each leadership team has worked tirelessly to continue this program and ensure its sustainability,” Garrison said. “I can’t wait to come to the press conference next year and see all that they accomplished.”Community partners of Big Blue Backpacks include the Good Samaritan Inn, Decatur Public Schools Foundation, and Aldi. Millikin students currently involved with the organization are Izzy Mendez, Kendall Rossignol, Aly Barnes, and Justin Maniago.
