Lipman Family Farms has provided Immokalee, Fla., school students with a backpack full of school supplies for the past 10 years, and although the COVID-19 pandemic has altered plans, the company continuef the program this school year.
The company’s Backpack Giveaway program has cancelled its Back to School Event, but Lipman Family Farms worked with school officials on plans, according to a news release. The 5K Run for Backpacks, a fundraiser for the program, was forced to go digital.
The company distributed 1,400 backpacks to schools and placed handwashing stations throughout Immokalee. Each backpack included earbuds for distance learning with laptops.
“We realized early on that because of the burdens that COVID has put on families recently that this could be the most important year yet for us to make sure students had the supplies they need for school,” Jaime Weisinger, director of community and government relations at Lipman Family Farms, said in the release. “We really wanted to make sure our 10th year of giving was extra special but I think supporting families right now is our priority.”
Exhibitors from the backpack event donated supplies, which included information on financial advising, educational support and health services.
“Modifying our distributions has become our new normal and Harry Chapin Food Bank is thrilled that we have found a way to ensure that students in Immokalee are ready for school and fed,” Richard LeBer, president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, said in the release. “We’re excited to be able to partner with Lipman Family Farms once again to make sure students get basic food supplies at the beginning of the school year.”
The food bank will distribute 480 food kits with the backpacks directly to students, according to the release.
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