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Since the start of Giving Tuesday, the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation has worked with a wide range of other area non-profits to bring the community the largest day of fundraising in the region. Since the beginning of Giving Tuesday, 31 Backpacks has been one of many local groups that have participated, and their leadership says the day has been a major support for their services. Throughout the year, 31 Backpacks send students in the region home on the weekend and holiday breaks with a bag full of groceries and health food.
“Well, it’s amazing to see that last year there were, I believe, 26 organizations this year, it’s 30 organizations. And the tremendous amount of money that comes into that program for Giving Tuesday is a testament to the spirit of people here in the copper country and taking care of our own and taken care of, you know, recreational activities and senior citizens and kids and animals and that sort of thing. It’s just a tremendous place to live where you have that kind of community spirit that gives every single year.” – Melissa Maki, Vice President, 31 Backpacks
31 Backpacks Vice President Melissa Maki says that each year Giving Tuesday has been a major funding source for the group. As each year’s Giving Tuesday donations can cover a large portion of the cost of food over Christmas break.
“Each one of those costs in the neighborhood of $30,000 a piece and that’s not even counting what we do on a weekly basis. We also provide personal hygiene products for those kids. Those are things that you can’t buy with the bridge card, and they’re very expensive. And so we know that the money that we get from Copper Shores is at least going to cover the two big packs that we do in winter and spring.” – Melissa Maki, Vice President, 31 Backpack
During the year the group can send close to 100,000 meals home with students all over the region. 31 Backpacks also maintains two food pantries for students. One pantry is located at the Horizons Alternative School, and another at Washington Middle School in Calumet. Maki says that without Giving Tuesday their organization would not be able to provide nearly as many meals as they can today.
Giving Tuesday with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation last year raised over 650,000 dollars from individuals in the community and from friends of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Annually the foundation has provided a match sum to add to the day of givings total. Adding up to over 2.7 million dollars spread throughout the copper country over the past six years. Find more information about Giving Tuesday with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation here, and more about 31 backpacks here.
