Knitwits continue tradition as Snack short on fundraising goal

Snack: Funds needed as more food provided

  • These three “Knitwits” from Faith Presbyterian Church delivered 529 handmade, knitted hats to Snack in a Backpack last week to be given to Fannin County School children. Kim King, Frances Thompson and Betty Benedict, from left, are part of the group that call themselves the Knitwits and gather regularly to make the hats.
    These three “Knitwits” from Faith Presbyterian Church delivered 529 handmade, knitted hats to Snack in a Backpack last week to be given to Fannin County School children. Kim King, Frances Thompson and Betty Benedict, from left, are part of the group that call themselves the Knitwits and gather regularly to make the hats.
  • News Observer photo/Glenn Harbison These are only a few of the Snack in a Backpack volunteers who gathered last Wednesday, December 10, for the last packing day before schools dismiss for the holidays.
    News Observer photo/Glenn Harbison These are only a few of the Snack in a Backpack volunteers who gathered last Wednesday, December 10, for the last packing day before schools dismiss for the holidays.

    Snack in a Backpack volunteers wrapped up the first half of their school year packing season last Wednesday, December 11, with 529 hats included in food bags for Fannin County school children.

    The hats represented the annual donation from the Knitwits at Faith Presbyterian Church.

    The day also marked 11,669 more meals packed in the first four months of 2024 than in the 2023 school year, and saw the community organization a little over $11,000 short of its fundraising goal.

    For several years, the Knitwits have provided the handmade head coverings. The 529 that arrived last week brought the total to 3,018 since 2018.

    Knitwits Kim King, Frances Thompson and Betty Benedict delivered the hats and joined with Snack volunteers to pack them.

    As has been the tradition, the meal bags packed last week included extra food as schools prepare for the Christmas break. Gift bags were also included with socks, stickers, stamps, candy canes and a few small treats.

    Snack volunteers gathered a week earlier to pack 75 family meal bags for Shop With A Cop.

    Sarah Dickey, a Shop With A Cop board member, said, “We can’t thank Snack in a Backpack enough. The kids were so excited when they saw the items provided, but no more thankful than the parents and grandparents.”

    Shop With A Cop also provides food during its annual shopping day.

    The 11,669 more meals packed so far this year than in 2023 show how the need has “greatly increased,” Snack Executive Director Deby Beck said.

    Snack’s Fall Appeal fundraising goal is $45,000. Donations have contributed about 75 percent, or about $33,750, of that amount so far.  That means a little over $11,000 is still needed.

    Beck said, “Our goal at Snack in a Backpack has not changed. We work to decrease the burden of childhood hunger in Fannin County by providing food insecure families a weekend and school vacation food assistance program.  We pledge to be good stewards of any gift you give us to serve the children of Fannin County. We thank you for your help.”

    Donations can be made by mailing a check to: Snack in a Backpack, P.O. Box 2123, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513; or by going to snackinabackpack.org and using the
    “donate” button.

    More details are available by emailing backpackfannin@gmail.com or calling 706-851-8174.