Bowling for Backpacks event to support Blessings in a Backpack

Avondale School District is hosting its 6th annual Bowling for Backpacks Fundraiser benefitting Avondale Blessings in a Backpack (Avondale BIAB) on Sunday, March 13 at Classic Lanes in Rochester Hills from 2 – 5 p.m. Proceeds from the event will help purchase food items for school-age children who may need nutritional support over the weekend when school is not in session and there is no access to initiatives like the Free or Reduced Lunch Program. Avondale BIAB has been supporting District students in this way since 2008 when they became the first school district in the state to partner with North Woodward Community Foundation to send qualifying students home each Friday with a bag filled with non-perishable food.

Since that time, Avondale BIAB has distributed approximately 110,000 bags of food. Each year the non-profit organization serves more than 350 families residing in the District which takes in parts of Troy, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills and Bloomfield Township. The bags, containing items such as canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, fruit and granola bars, fruit juices, soup and beef ravioli are assembled each week by a team of volunteers that includes students in the Avondale SKILL Program, the Avondale Academy and several boys and girls scout troops.

“Everything about Blessings in a Backpack speaks to the idea of neighbor-helping-neighbor,” said BIAB coordinator, Kessie Kaltsouins, “the school district and the community help every step of the way - from fundraising to packaging and delivering the food. Their involvement demonstrates how the Avondale School District community steps up to help the children living next door or down the street from them. It demonstrates their commitment to helping all kids reach their potential.”

Kaltsouins feels strongly that proper nutrition plays a big part in a child’s success in school and that organizations like BIAB play a role in improving the chances for that success. “It is vital to a student’s development and educational success to be fed a basic meal; having the proper nutrients helps children pay attention and participate in their learning,” she said.

The bowling fundraiser will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at Classic Lanes located at 2145 Avon Industrial Drive (near the intersection of M-59 and Crooks Rd). Tickets are $20 per bowler and include bowling, shoes, pizza and a soft drink along with participation in a “Strike Ball” competition and an auction.

For more information about the Avondale Blessings in a Backpack Bowling for Backpacks fundraiser contact Kessie Kaltsouins at 248-318-6334.

!LA