Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Why Do We Do It? There are more than 13.1 -million children in this country who are at risk of hunger. The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs, but we want to make sure they’re getting nutritional meals over the weekend, too. Blessings in a Backpack is a 501 C (3) non-profit organization currently feeding over 87,300 children in nearly 1,092 schools in 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.