Blessings in a Backpack raises more than $160,000 to feed Louisville children

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — More Louisville children will have access to food on weekends thanks to funds raised by the Louisville Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack at its "Pack the Sack" celebrity dinner this past weekend.

Saturday evening, the annual celebrity chef dinner held at The Olmsted brought in more than $160,000.

More than 300 people had the chance to talk with and sample foods from celebrity chefs Josh Moore and Jackie Joseph, from The Food Network, and local chef James Moran. Cocktails were provided by local award-winning mixologist Em Sego.

"The Pack the Sack event this year surpassed our expectations, thanks to the incredible support and generosity of our community and talented chefs and mixologist,” Kim Holsclaw, managing director of the Blessings in a Backpack Louisville Chapter, said in a news release. “The funds raised over the weekend will empower our Louisville Chapter to sustain its vital mission — providing nutritional support to school-aged children during weekends."

The funds raised during the event will support the chapter's annual efforts to provide weekend food assistance to 5,400 children from 41 local schools.

For more information about the Louisville chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, or to get involved, click here.