The power of a positive message for a young child is undeniable. So are socks and a snack. Through its partnership with Fort Wayne’s Blessings in a Backpack, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) staff spent an afternoon crafting special holiday themed “Believe Bags” for local students facing food insecurity.

Food insecurity impacts a child’s cognitive growth, social development, self-esteem and general well-being. With support from the AEP Foundation, staff in I&M’s Distribution Dispatch Center packed these holiday bags with socks and snacks to be given to students, ensuring they will not endure an entire weekend before eating again. The socks, which range from fun characters to bright designs, provide joy of a special gift around the holidays.

After an afternoon of work, staff stuffed over 350 bags for local students. Included in these bags, handwritten cards from I&M staff, featuring positive messages reminding these young recipients just how valuable and important they are. 

Blessings in a Backpack began in 2007 as the organization fed 300 students from one school every weekend. Since then, it has grown to partner with seven schools within Fort Wayne, feeding 3,000 students every weekend.

Visit our community page for more information on how I&M is supporting our local communities from Rockport, Ind. to Bridgman, Mich. and how staff are making a difference through volunteering.