In preparation for the NASCAR race weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Blessings in a Backpack teamed up on Wednesday, Aug. 14, with Dale Earnhardt Jr., The Dale Jr. Foundation, Meijer, and Hellmann’s to assemble 1,500 food bags for children facing food insecurity at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. Erin Kerr, CEO of Blessings in a Backpack, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Partnering with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Meijer, and Hellmann’s to support the children of Grand Rapids is truly exciting. This partnership demonstrates the significant impact we can make when we unite for a common cause. We appreciate the ongoing support from Dale Earnhardt Jr. and our dedicated partners and look forward to positively impacting these kids’ lives as they begin the new school year.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on the initiative: “Working with Blessings in a Backpack has allowed us to directly impact communities by packing backpacks and witnessing the benefits for kids. Giving back is incredibly rewarding and motivating for me and the foundation. It’s an honor to collaborate with Meijer and Hellmann’s to ensure these children have the necessary food to thrive.”
Since 2011, Blessings in a Backpack has partnered with The Dale Jr. Foundation. Earnhardt Jr., a strong supporter of the nonprofit, once sparked a viral moment on X by sharing his fondness for mayonnaise and banana sandwiches, which led to increased support for the organization. He encouraged his fans to donate, pledging to match contributions up to $50,000. Hellmann’s Mayonnaise joined the effort, contributing an additional $50,000. This initiative extended to Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway, where sandwiches were sold, raising over $160,000 for Blessings in a Backpack.
Meijer, a long-time supporter of Blessings in a Backpack, has been the nonprofit’s original food vendor, with Doug Meijer, Board of Directors for the retailer, serving as a founding board member. Doug Meijer remarked, “Supporting Blessings in a Backpack from the start and witnessing its growth has been a privilege. As a family-owned grocery retailer, we recognize the importance of nutrition and are proud to collaborate with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his foundation, alongside Hellmann’s, to support children in our community.”
For this special event, the food bags included not only the usual breakfasts, entrées, and snacks but also kid-friendly treats from Hellmann’s and Meijer, as well as personalized notes from the partnering teams, all packed into new drawstring bags.
Hunger has both short- and long-term negative effects on children’s health and ability to succeed in school. Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Blessings in a Backpack is on track to provide 3 million hunger-free weekends for kids in 46 states and Washington, D.C. Visit blessingsinabackpack.org to learn how you can help end childhood hunger on the weekends in your community.
