ABOUT US

Hi!

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Let me tell you a little about Operation Breakfast and Blankets (OBB).

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As an eight-year-old kid, I started OBB with the goal of collecting cereal and blankets to share with veterans, children and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

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My family prepared meals at Opportunity House, which provides veterans, children and families with emergency housing.  I was heartbroken when I realized that the veterans and children I met had no home.  I thought about how the veterans served our country and now they were on the streets and the kids must have a hard time going to school and feeling safe. I wrote to Santa Claus and asked if he could bring food and clothes to the homeless.  I got a letter back from Santa encouraging me to find my own way to help the homeless.

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OBB reflects my respect for the military and how it takes many, not just one person, to have a successful operation.  

Since OBB started, we have collected thousands of boxes of cereal and blankets stretching our reach from my hometown of Bernville, the Tulpehocken School District and my church, St. Francis de Sales, to communities across Berks County.  

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Today, the Operation remains youth-driven with Bella Woll and I tackling all aspects of the Operation.  Through the years, we kids have been supported by so many amazing adult mentors, including those affiliated with Berks County Community Foundation, Berks Coalition to End Homelessness, Blankets of HOPE, Berks Community Television, RKL, LLC, Camp Cadet Troop L, Hill Impact at the PA State Police Academy, a number of elected officials and many others.

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At least twice a year we organize a collection of cereal and blankets.  We also mobilize the Operation in April to collect pajamas and cereal to remember kids who are in foster care or at-risk of entering foster care. 

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The best part of the Operation is delivering the cereal and blankets to our amazing friends at LIFE House/Partners in Parenting, Light House Women & Children’s Center, Opportunity House, and Hope Rescue Mission.  

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All the cereal and blankets makes a difference, but it’s the kindness from every person we meet and who offers to help that is simply amazing and keeps the Operation going. 

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Your friend,

Chance Palm-Rittle