If you haven't already, the time has come to hang the stockings by the chimney with care. The holidays can bring elaborate light displays, festive parties and filling meals to be shared with loved ones. For some, that holiday meal, or a simple lunch on a Saturday, may not even be possible. 

Food insecurity impacts a child's cognitive growth, social development and general well-being. Through our partnership with Fort Wayne's Blessings in a Backpack, the AEP Foundation has contributed a grant to support the organization's weekend meal program for qualifying students. Food designated for this program is placed in students' backpacks on Fridays during the school year to ensure no child will endure an entire weekend before being fed again.

Additionally, to align with the current holiday season, staff at our downtown office gathered on Dec. 6 to help stuff stockings for children in our community battling food insecurity. After a morning of work, our team stuffed 600 stockings with warm socks, snack and a sweet treat.

Blessings in a Backpack began in 2007 as the organization fed 300 students from one school every weekend. Since then, it has grown to partner with seven schools within Fort Wayne, feeding 2,600 students every weekend.

I&M is invested in working together to support growth and the initiatives of the communities around us. For more information on how we are powering the next community initiative, visit the community section of the I&M website.