Our Story
2011
In November, Melissa Peter, Chapter Founder and Program Director, participated in a prayer tour through Third Ward with the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church Women’s Group resulting in an understanding of food desserts in the neighborhood surrounding Blackshear Elementary.
2012
In February, Melissa read a People magazine article about a national organization called Blessings in a Backpack. The next month, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church agrees to host the ministry. “Feed My Lambs” was established as the cornerstone as was the name “Shear Blessings.” In May, the first fundraiser was held where Lisa Niederberger sold Thirty-One products. Guests were invited to shop and/or donate. This resulted in the $4000 needed to launch the program for 50 children at Blackshear in September 2012. The staff of the school couldn’t reduce the list from 60-50 so we agreed to provide 60! The first delivery was made on September 7, 2012. In December, Shear Blessings receives a $10,000 grant through the Wal-Mart Foundation’s “12 Days of Giving” program. We were nominated by Janice Warwick of Good Shepherd, Friendswood. BC began our partnership with SBISD as a “Good Neighbor”.
2013
In May, our partnership begins with Texas Capital Bank through a $5000 annual grant. A liaison was added to our Board of Directors. We were able to host the Color Me Fun fundraising event held at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church and School. Annual fundraising event with partner, the Sugarland Skeeters, begins with summer “Blessings in a Backpack” night at the park.
2014
In June, the organization’s name was officially changed to Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack.
2015
In January, Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack received a $30,000 grant from Jr. League of Houston. In March, we were delighted to host our first annual Spring Luncheon where we welcomed Karen Walrond as our keynote speaker.
2016
In April, we held our 2nd Annual Spring Luncheon Event. In September, Houston mayor, Sylvester Turner, declares September 13, 2016 as “Blessings in a Backpack Day” in the city. Representatives of BCB were honored to attend the 100 year celebration at Blackshear Elementary gala as a community partner.
2017
Bayou City Blessings received a Touchdown Houston Super Bowl LI Grant, in collaboration with the NFL and Greater Houston Community Foundation, in the amount of $30,000. BCB was one of three food relief organization in the 11 counties of Houston to be awarded. In the weeks following Hurricane Harvey, BCB assembled and delivered thousands of additional food bags and hundreds of new backpacks to kids who lost theirs due to flooding. We hosted the mömandpöp band at Meadow Wood, Spring Shadows and Blackshear Elementary students following Harvey. We also started an annual fundraising partnership with Brewingz. BCB was excited to welcome Katherine Center as our keynote speaker for our Spring Luncheon.
2018
Bayou City Blessings began a volunteer relationship with Sysco with their “Sysco Gives Back” campaign. We also became a partner agency with the Houston Food Bank. The Lona Wong Volunteer Service Award was created and awarded to The HUB Houston at our annual spring fundraising event. Holler Brewery’s “Spelling Bee” was created as an annual fundraiser benefiting Bayou City Blessings. BCB was honored to welcome Alan Graham as our keynote speaker for our Spring Luncheon.
2019
Bayou City Blessings consolidated with Southwest Houston chapter led by Cheryl Tyler and added Foerster, Grissom & Montgomery Elementary schools. Rally for Hunger, an event in partnership with Christ Church Cathedral took place, where 100,000 meals were created and then distributed by Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack.
2020
Bayou City Blessings started to serve Meadow Wood, Nottingham, Treasure Forest Elementary schools. Treasure Forest was picked up from another chapter who discontinued programming. To date, we have distributed almost 25,000 weekend food bags in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including over 75,000 additional food items.