Hopedale Legion donates $10K to fire department & Blessings in a Backpack

By Ed Banks

In a time when a helping hand seems nonexistent, it is good to know that some people and/or organizations step up and prove that kindness still is something that they believe in. On Wednesday, the kindness concept was alive and well in Hopedale, Ohio, as the Hopedale Legion kept their promise of community involvement and contributions visible and very gracious.

On the receiving end of the two $5000 donations from the legion were the Hopedale Fire Department and the Blessings in a Backpack program. On hand for the presentations were Brian Zack, Board Member at Post 682 – Hopedale Legion; Mark Marchetta, Fire Chief – Hopedale Fire Department; Frank DiBenedetto, Finance Officer – Hopedale Legion; Jenny Gibson, Program Coordinator – Blessings in a Backpack; and Ric Blair, Commander – Hopedale Legion.

“We are so very thankful for this kind contribution from the Hopedale Legion,” said Fire Chief Marchetta. “It is very timely! We will be receiving our most recent equipment order in the next couple of days, and these funds will go directly to the purchase. Knowing the cost of equipment these days, this donation will help the department feel some relief.”

“I too know the costs involved in keeping a fire department up to date in equipment and other supplies,” said Hopedale Legion Commander Ric Blair. “We are proud to be of assistance to the fire department. We as consumers also appreciate the service the department brings to this community. As far as the Blessings in a Backpack, no one can deny the importance and the fulfillment this program brings. Our youth are important to us, and we want to thank Jenny and her organization for the program that she so proudly and successfully coordinates!”

Blessings in a Backpack is a program at Harrison Central that assists in providing take home foods to children that may need, ask for, or who are identified as in need.

“Blessings in a Backpack has been going for approximately ten years,” said Jenny Gibson, Program Coordinator of Blessings in a Backpack. “The program originated when it was discovered that students were saying that they were hungry on the weekends and were anxious to come to school on Monday mornings to have breakfast. Harrison Central teachers and other staff were the main individuals that helped with the initiation of the program.”

Each blessing bag contains approximately ten items every week (granola and cereal bars, cups of fruit, crackers, and other snacks). Extra food is sent home in the bags during the Christmas break and other extended weekends. Currently, high school students pack the bags bi-weekly and then discreetly deliver them. Grades 7-12 are welcome to receive them for the asking. They can make that request by going to the nurse’s station.

“Currently we do over 210 bags for distribution in the school weekly and approximately 20 to the Board of DD preschool,” Gibson went on. “We provide the blessing during the school year only. The annual budget is approximately $25k. Funding is solely from donations and grants, whether it be from organizations, churches, companies, private individuals, memorial gifts, or fundraisers. One hundred percent of the money received goes towards the food.” 

Should anyone wish to contribute to the program you can send your donation to the school. Checks should be addressed to Harrison Hills City School District with Blessings in a Backpack in the memo. The school address is 100 Huskies Way, Cadiz, OH43907.If you would like more information on this program, please call Jenny Gibson at 740-942-7806.

“All of the monies raised for programs such as provided to the fire department and Blessings in a Backpack come from year-round fundraisers held by the Legion,” said Legion Board Member Brian Zack. “Providing assistance to organizations such as these is a real pleasure for all of us at the legion. Just as with these two programs, our donations go to charitable organization that carry a 501c-3 non-profit status.”