For the third consecutive year, Blessings in a Backpack First Coast Chapter has partnered with the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to feed kids in Jacksonville!

However, like most recent events, this year’s packing event was COVID impacted — the Kentucky Wildcats (UK) and NC State Wolfpack football teams were not allowed to pack. But the players did not let the pandemic stop their generosity from scoring big! Each team ensured each child received a cool team mascot toy and other goodies in their fantastic football foodie bag.

The Gator Bowl Association staff and officers and the Blessings First Coast Advisory Board stepped in and happily packed 1,000 bags of food for local kids. Blessings First Coast volunteers distribute the bags to students who attend Hyde Grove and Seabreeze Elementary Schools and Mayport Middle School.

90,000 kids — that’s one in five — living in NE Florida are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. The First Coast Chapter is serving 4,823 kids this school year at 41 schools.