Lassus Handy Dandy gas stations in Indiana and Ohio have launched a drive to collect donations for Blessings in a Backpack, a program that fights child hunger by providing weekend meals to students. This partnership started this week and runs through November 17, aiming to support local kids who lose access to school lunches during non school days.
What Is Blessings in a Backpack?
Blessings in a Backpack works to ensure children in need get nutritious food on weekends and holidays when school meals are not available. The national nonprofit partners with schools and communities to pack and distribute bags filled with easy to prepare items like granola bars, fruit cups, and peanut butter.
In the Fort Wayne area, the program serves thousands of students each year. Organizers say one in six kids faces hunger risks, and this initiative helps bridge that gap. Last school year alone, similar efforts delivered over 1.2 million meals nationwide, with a focus on high need districts.
The collaboration with Lassus fits into broader community support trends. Recent data shows child food insecurity rose by 5 percent in the Midwest due to economic pressures, making these drives more vital than ever.
How the Donation Drive Works
Customers at Lassus Handy Dandy can contribute easily while fueling up or grabbing snacks. Options include rounding up purchases at the register or adding a set amount at the pump. Every dollar goes directly to Blessings in a Backpack to buy food packs.
This setup encourages small, frequent gifts from everyday shoppers. Lassus, a family run chain with roots in the region since 1925, has a track record of such causes. In past years, their holiday campaigns raised over 75 thousand dollars for child and family programs, showing strong community buy in.
One store in Huntington previously collected more than 1 thousand dollars for the same group, proving local impact. Planners hope this fall push tops those numbers amid rising costs for families.
Key Locations for Donations
The drive covers multiple spots across northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. Here is a list of participating stores where you can give:
- Fort Wayne, IN: 6111 Bluffton Rd. (Store 5), 2239 N. Clinton (Store 6), 3604 W. Jefferson (Store 7)
- More Fort Wayne sites: 1630 Spy Run (Store 14), 5545 Stellhorn Rd. (Store 15), 5917 Lima Rd. (Store 16)
- Additional Fort Wayne: 901 W. Coliseum Blvd (Store 23), 12010 U.S. Hwy 24 W. (Store 32), 10225 Illinois Rd (Store 39)
- Other areas: 10040 Lima Rd. (Store 41), 7405 Maplecrest Rd. (Store 42), 8724 U.S. Hwy 24 W. (Store 43)
- Full list includes: 8830 Coldwater Rd. (Store 46), 3610 East Dupont Rd. (Store 47), 1610 Northland Blvd. (Store 37), 3220 N. Anthony Blvd (Store 38)
- New Haven, IN: 633 Broadway (Store 28)
- Huntington, IN: 1276 First Street (Store 48)
- Delta, OH: 419 Main St. (Store 559)
These sites serve busy neighborhoods, making it simple for drivers to join in.
Impact and Broader Community Ties
This effort ties into Lassus ongoing commitment to local giving. As a faith based business, they prioritize causes that help kids and families. In 2024, their annual holiday fundraiser brought in 77 thousand dollars, while a zoo support drive added 100 thousand more.
Blessings in a Backpack reports that a 175 dollar gift feeds one child for a full school year. With inflation hitting food prices up 20 percent lately, these donations stretch further through bulk buying.
Local experts note similar programs reduced school absenteeism by 15 percent in participating areas. It also connects to recent events like back to school drives, where partnerships like this one with transportation groups expanded reach.
| Year | Total Raised by Lassus Campaigns | Key Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75,000 dollars | Child and family charities, including Blessings in a Backpack |
| 2024 | 177,000 dollars (combined) | Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo and holiday child programs |
| 2025 (Ongoing) | Targeting higher with current drive | Weekend meal packs for students |
Such results highlight how gas station stops turn into acts of kindness, easing hunger one bag at a time.
Ways to Get Involved Beyond the Pump
If you cannot visit a store, the Blessings in a Backpack website offers online giving options. Volunteers can also help pack bags at local schools or spread the word on social media.
This timely push aligns with fall trends in community aid, following summer programs that saw a 10 percent uptick in participation. Families facing tight budgets appreciate the convenience, turning routine errands into support for neighbors.
Share your thoughts on this initiative in the comments below, and tell friends to round up next time they fill up. Your voice and actions can make a real difference in fighting child hunger right here at home.
