The Allstate Foundation Grant to Support Nonprofit’s Work to Fight Childhood Hunger

Thirty-five Allstate agency owners and financial specialists from across Michigan recently came together to secure a $35,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant to benefit Blessings in a Backpack. The grant will support the nonprofit organization’s mission to provide students at risk for food insecurity with a backpack containing six nutritious meals to feed them over the weekend. 

Julie Hoops in Rochester and Thea Collins in Rochester Hills were two of the local Allstate agency owners who took part in the program.

The agency owners and financial specialists each earned $1,000 for Blessings in a Backpack by packing backpacks with food and snacks to fight childhood hunger during events in August. The backpacks were distributed to students and families through Blessings in a Backpack chapters in Grand Ledge, Huron and Lake Orion. Blessings in a Backpack will use the $35,000 grant to further its work in the local community.  

The participating Allstate agency owners are among thousands of agency owners and financial specialists around the country working to strengthen communities by volunteering their time to support the causes they care about most. 

“As small business owners and community leaders, Allstate agency owners and financial specialists see firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing the communities they serve,” said Gary Heslinga, Allstate Territory Sales Leader for Michigan. “Giving back is core to who we are, which is why we’re proud to volunteer and raise funds to improve the lives of people across Michigan.”  

Blessings in a Backpack is one of thousands of organizations this year to receive Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants secured by agency owners and financial specialists on behalf of the nonprofits where they volunteer. The grants support organizations addressing domestic violence, youth empowerment, disaster preparedness, hunger and other causes.  

The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants are one example of The Allstate Foundation’s legacy of service and giving for communities and nonprofits across the U.S.:

• Since The Allstate Foundation was founded in 1952, it has contributed over $400 million to support community nonprofits.
• In 2016, The Allstate Foundation contributed more than $25 million to communities across the U.S.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.