For many AASA National Conference on Education attendees, taking an hour to give back to those less fortunate has become a meaningful tradition.  

At the 2025 event in New Orleans, AASA is collaborating again with Sourcewell, AASA’s government cooperative procurement partner, to bring Blessings in a Backpack to the association’s national conference. It’s part of a nationwide initiative dedicated to combating childhood hunger by providing weekend meals to students in need. 

The annual service project will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 7, inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Hall D. Conference attendees are invited to stop by and help stuff backpacks with non-perishable food items. The backpacks will be donated to elementary schools in New Orleans.  

Volunteers will help assemble 1,000 meal kits for elementary students facing food insecurity in New Orleans, ensuring they have access to nutritious food when school meals are unavailable.  

The weekend meal kits ensure that students who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school have access to food when school cafeterias are closed.  
  

“Kids need nutritious meals, and this is a great way to help those in need,” said Chad Coauette, CEO of Sourcewell. “We’re excited to support this initiative, and we encourage attendees to take a few moments to give back.”  
 

The event is an easy yet powerful way to make a difference in the New Orleans community. Whether you can volunteer for a few minutes or stay the whole hour, every packed bag helps ensure a child won’t go hungry over the weekend.  

 
(Amiela Arcellana is a reporter with Conference Daily Online and AASA’s marketing coordinator.)