Shady Rays Extends Blessings in a Backpack Support to Maupin Elementary Following King Elementary Closure

Press Release: Blessings in a Backpack

With many former King Elementary students beginning the school year at Maupin, Shady Rays ensures qualifying students will continue receiving weekend food

With the new school year underway, students impacted by the closure of King Elementary School are adjusting to new classrooms, routines and school communities. For many now attending Maupin Elementary, one important source of support is following them: Blessings in a Backpack.

Last school year, Shady Rays provided funding to help feed children in the Blessings in a Backpack program at King Elementary. When the school closed as a result of Jefferson County Public Schools budget cuts, the Louisville-based eyewear company chose to move that support with the students rather than end it.

The funding will ensure every student at Maupin Elementary who qualifies for Blessings in a Backpack receives weekend food throughout the 2026–27 school year, providing a consistent source of support at a time when families are navigating significant change.

“The closure of a school affects so much more than where a child goes each morning. For many of these families, King Elementary was a familiar place with teachers, friends, routines and resources they counted on,” said Kim Holsclaw, Managing Director of the Blessings in a Backpack Louisville Chapter. “As students begin again at Maupin Elementary, Shady Rays is helping make sure access to weekend food is one thing they don't have to worry about. We're incredibly grateful for their commitment to staying with these children and supporting them through this transition.”

The support is part of a larger national partnership between Shady Rays and Blessings in a Backpack that launched in January 2026. Blessings in a Backpack is the flagship initiative of Shady Rays Impact, the company's charitable giving program. Purchases made at ShadyRays.com and Shady Rays retail locations help provide bags of food for children to take home on Fridays, with the company's Impact counter allowing customers to see the collective number of hunger-free weekends supported through the partnership.

“Shady Rays was founded here in Louisville, so having the opportunity to make a meaningful impact for kids in our own community is especially important to us,” said Chris Ratterman, Founder and CEO of Shady Rays. “Our partnership with Blessings in a Backpack is about creating tangible impact, and supporting Maupin Elementary is a great example of what that looks like locally. We’re proud to help make sure these students have the food they need on weekends throughout the school year.”

The need extends well beyond a single school. The Blessings in a Backpack Louisville Chapter mobilizes efforts to provide food to more than 5,200 children at 43 local schools each weekend of the school year. With close to 80,000 children in Louisville experiencing food insecurity, the organization continues to work with local businesses, community partners and volunteers to reach more children who may not have reliable access to food when school meals are unavailable. 

More information about Blessings in a Backpack, including ways to donate, volunteer or support a local school, is available at https://louisville.blessingsinabackpack.org. 

ABOUT BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK LOUISVILLE CHAPTER 

What began as a single school effort in Louisville, Kentucky, has since evolved into a nationally recognized organization made up of 7 regional chapters and more than 1,000 volunteer-driven programs. Since 2005, Blessings in a Backpack has helped students in the Louisville area, becoming an official Chapter in 2016. The Blessings in a Backpack – Louisville Chapter mobilizes efforts to provide food to more than 5,200 children from 43 local schools each weekend of the school year. However, with close to 80,000 children in Louisville experiencing food insecurity, there is more work to be done. Please join us in helping to end hunger on the weekends by visiting https://louisville.blessingsinabackpack.org to learn more about the local Blessings in a Backpack impact and how to become involved. Together, we can help feed the kids this weekend. 

About Shady Rays

Founded as an independent, American-owned company, Shady Rays has grown into one of the country’s leading independent eyewear brands by combining premium polarized eyewear with an uncommon commitment to the people who wear it.

Every pair of Shady Rays sunglasses is backed by the company’s Limited Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty and signature Lost & Broken Protection. Beyond sunglasses, Shady Rays offers prescription eyewear, snow goggles, blue light glasses, UV protection apparel, and other products designed for life outdoors.

Through Shady Rays Impact, the company also uses its business as a platform for community giving, including its ongoing partnership with Blessings in a Backpack.

For more information, visit ShadyRays.com and follow @shadyrays on social media.