Marketplace Foods recently raised over $4,000 for the United Way of Bemidji Area’s Backpack Buddies program.
Backpack Buddies ensures Bemidji Area school children have access to nutritious, non-perishable food over the weekends and school vacations.
Last year, the program served over 450 children, and since the COVID-19 crisis, the program has served over 1,200 children each week.
“Marketplace Foods stepped forward to hold their Backpack Buddies fundraiser earlier this year to help us meet this new need.” Denae Alamano, Executive Director of the United Way of Bemidji Area shared.
Marketplace Foods collected donations and tagged Backpack Buddies food items that would typically appear in a food pack such as granola bars, canned soups, oatmeal, etc. Each of the selected items had a Backpack Buddies food tag and collection bins were located near the entrances of the store. Donations were also accepted at the cash registers.
“Thank you to all of the customers who donated through this fundraiser! Together, we are making a difference for food access in our community.” Alamano stated.
Marketplace Foods also accepted donations for Bemidji Community Food Shelf.
