Louisville-founded organizations team up to help feed children facing weekend hunger

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two national organizations that began in Louisville are teaming up to help feed children.

Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization focused on making sure kids leave school on Fridays with food in their backpacks. It's dedicated to closing the weekend hunger gap for the 13.8 million kids in America who struggle with food insecurity.

Shady Rays, a locally owned sunglasses company, is donating a portion of sales, up to $500,000, to provide kids across the country weekend meals.

"It's not just the dollars, it is the partnership, the two brands coming together and Shady Rays bringing the kids that we serve and our mission in front of their customers on their website, in their stores, so that it really brings awareness to the weekend hunger that these kids are facing and how we can end it together," Erin Kerr, CEO of Blessings in a Backpack, said.

The partnership officially launched on Jan. 1, 2026.

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