Northern Kentucky — With grateful hearts and joyful celebration, Back to School Blessings thanks every supporter, sponsor, volunteer, church partner, community helper, and caring neighbor who helped make this year’s outreach a blessed success. Because of your generosity, more than 200 students and family members received school supplies, books, clothing, encouraging recognition awards, and fresh produce from the Freestore Foodbank. All are reminders that our students are loved, prepared, and surrounded by a community that cares.
This outreach did more than fill backpacks. It filled hearts. Current Kentucky data highlight signs of progress and the power of supportive communities. The 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Book reported improvement in 11 of 16 child well-being indicators across economic security, education, health, and family and community measures, underscoring that positive outcomes grow when children are surrounded by care, stability, and opportunity (Kentucky Youth Advocates, 2024). These Kentucky findings reflect the very spirit of Back to School Blessings: when families, educators, faith leaders, and community partners stand together, students are strengthened for the journey ahead.
“Back to School Blessings began as a vision to remind students that they are supported and surrounded by people who believe in their future,” said Northern Kentucky University student Destiny Owen, Visionary for the annual Back to School Blessings outreach. “Back to School Blessings is love in action.”
Erlanger Councilwoman Renee Wilson shared, “This is what community looks like. When supporters, sponsors, families, churches, volunteers, and local leaders work together, students walk into the school year knowing they are seen, supported, and celebrated.”
Educator, Missionary, and Deaconess Col. Serena Owen added, “Every gift given carries a message far beyond the first day of school: our children are valued, prayed for, and surrounded by a community ready to help them grow. When we meet practical needs with love, we plant confidence that can last all year.”
Deacon Col. Larry Owen, a retired teacher from Covington Schools who has helped distribute thousands of pounds of fresh produce to over 500 folk and families monthly since 2020, said, “As a retired educator, I know students learn best when their basic needs are met and their spirits are lifted. Every box of produce, every school supply, and every act of kindness tells a child, ‘You matter, and we are standing with you.’”
To the Freestore Foodbank, local farmers, sponsors and donors – 1N5, B& L Beauty Supply, Community Heroes, First Baptist Church of Elsmere, For Family By Family, Kona Ice, MeMe’s Soulful Catering and Sweet Treats, Randall Daniels and Bobo the CHAMP, Kyle Evans, Renee Jones, Dylicia McGee, Wilson Wreaths & More, volunteers, educators, civic leaders, and every school hero who gave time, resources, labor, love, encouragement, and prayer—thank you. You helped transform preparation into celebration and need into nourishment. You remind families that they are not alone and remind students that their community is praying, cheering, and preparing the way for them.
Back to School Prayer: Lord, bless every student as they step into a new school year with courage, curiosity, safety, and joy. Bless every family with peace, provision, patience, and strength. Bless our teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria teams, counselors, administrators, coaches, mentors, volunteers, and school heroes with wisdom, protection, compassion, and renewed purpose. May classrooms be safe spaces of kindness, learning, friendship, and hope. May every student know they are loved, every family feel supported, and every school hero be refreshed for the work ahead. Cover this school year with grace, unity, excellence, and favor. Amen.
Reference
Kentucky Youth Advocates. (2024). 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Book. Kentucky Youth Advocates. https://kyyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-County-Data-Book.pdf
