Local Bank utilizes Targeted Impact Fund from FHLBank of Chicago
Newton (Sept. 11, 2020) – On Sept. 10, Peoples State Bank President Stacy Moore presented Blessings
In a Backpack Board Member, Donna Keller with a check for $5,250 to be used toward the Jasper
County, Ill. Chapter of the Blessings In a Backpack nonprofit. The donation was made possible by the
Targeted Impact Fund, a grant program available through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and
designed to support those most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time for Blessings in a Backpack,” Keller said. “Last week one of our Board Members was asked by Head Start to add another 29 students to our bi-weekly packing list.”
Every two weeks, the board members and other volunteers prepare bags for a total of 179 qualifying
students in Jasper County. Community members who would like to provide additional monetary
donations are welcome to do so by getting in touch with a Board Member. They are Meredith Fulton,
Donna Keller, Jill Marble, Chris Probst, Beth Probst and Todd Short.
According to the national website, Blessings in a Backpack began in 2005 to provide students with three
meals a day on weekends. In 2008 Blessings in a Backpack became a non-profit organization and
expanded beyond its home state of Kentucky. The organization now has programs in 45 states, providing
nutrition to students in the hours between Friday and Monday during the school year.
