Miss NGU 2018 Hannah Pearson volunteers with Upstate Backpack Blessings, a charitable organization that provides food items for underprivileged area students.
“Backpack Blessings was started at my middle school,” said Pearson. “I got to experience first-hand the impact it made on the lives of so many children.”
The nonprofit was founded by Alice Prevatt, a former cafeteria employee at a local middle school. Although students from disadvantaged backgrounds are eligible for discounted or free school lunches, Prevatt realized that this isn’t always enough.
Students who eat at school often go hungry in the evenings and on the weekends.
Pearson knew she would choose Backpack Blessings as a charity platform when she competed for Miss NGU.
“I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I felt Backpack Blessings was the perfect opportunity. I had the opportunity to help the organization hand out backpacks full of food to children, and it was such a heartwarming experience to see how many kids it was helping,” said Pearson. “My mom is a teacher at a school in which Backpack Blessings helps, so I’ve also been able to experience the impact through her.”
Upstate Backpack Blessings now provides bags of food to over 300 students each week in 16 area elementary, middle and high schools. Individuals can get involved by holding food drives, volunteering at the pantry, or giving a donation. The food pantry is located at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Fountain Inn.
Pearson is looking forward to the future of providing food items for even more Upstate children who face hunger. “I hope to continue to inform people of the amazing impacts of Backpack Blessings continues to make,” said Pearson.
Individuals interested in volunteering should visit, www.upstatebackpackblessings.org/volunteer.