Pittsburgh, Pa. — Liberty Tire Recycling, a Pittsburgh-based tire recycler, said its employees, business partners and supporters raised $195,000 in 2026 for Blessings in a Backpack, a national nonprofit that provides weekend food to school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry.
The announcement was made in recognition of National Childhood Hunger Awareness Day and World Food Day, the company said. It marks the third year of Liberty's partnership with the nonprofit.
Liberty said the funds were raised through the Liberty Cares Charity Golf Tournament and partner contributions. The partnership began after employees told the company that, when asked what mattered most, they wanted to support a cause that helps children and fights hunger. Blessings in a Backpack does both, according to Liberty.
Thomas Womble, CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling, said in a statement that the partnership had raised more than $400,000 and packed more than 16,000 food packs for children in need over three years. He thanked employees for giving their time and effort to the project and customers and partners for committing their time and resources.
The company said employees at five Liberty locations will pack food packs of weekend meals at events in late October: Santa Fe Springs, Calif.; Midlothian, Texas; Minerva, Ohio; Jackson, Ga.; and Portland, Ore. Together, the teams will pack 6,500 bags of weekend meals for local Blessings in a Backpack programs.
Employees across the company are also taking part in a notecard activity. They will write and color notes of encouragement to go into the bags that students take home. Liberty said the notes are meant to add encouragement to the weekend meal bags and give every location a way to take part, including sites that are not hosting a packing event.
Alexis Hartman, manager of corporate partnerships, Midwest, at Blessings in a Backpack, said more than $195,000 was raised this year to benefit the nonprofit's mission and work. She thanked Liberty's leadership, customers, employees and the outings' donors and sponsors for their care, compassion and kindness in supporting children in need of the nonprofit's services.
According to the company, Liberty reported raising $87,805 in the first year of the partnership in 2024 and $132,785 in 2025. It said the three-year total now exceeds $415,000.