$10K, 1K Backpacks Stuffed With Food Donated To MD Boys & Girls Clubs

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Coca-Cola Consolidated and Giant Food recently donated 1,000 backpacks and $10,000 to Maryland Boys & Girls Clubs.

The backpacks were stuffed with nonperishable food items. The donation came just before winter break, a time when many students struggle with food insecurity without school meals.

"Knowing that young people served at our Clubs will be away from school during the holidays and may not have access to the meals they receive at school is always a great concern," said Lisa Lindsay-Mondoro, the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. "This contribution ensures that our youth will have access to nutritious breakfast items which is fundamentally important to their success."

More than 30 Coca-Cola Consolidated and Giant Food employees met at Coke's Capitol Heights facility to fill the backpacks. The team stuffed the backpacks with bottled water, granola bars, fruit snacks, cereal, pudding and fruit cups.

The team loaded the backpacks onto a Cocoa-Cola truck and delivered them on Dec. 15 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. That club will distribute the backpacks to chapters around the state.

"While we are in business to sell our products, we are in life to care for others in any and every way we can," said Joachim Rogers, the vice president of Coca-Cola Consolidated's Mid-Atlantic market unit. "I'm proud and humbled to be a part of a team that is committed to serving [others] and to work with a partner like Giant Food that is just as dedicated to serving the greater good."

Felis Andrade, the director of external communications and community relations at Giant Food, said the grocery store chain wants to support the neighborhoods it serves.

"Unfortunately, many children within our region struggle to receive enough to eat, so we hope the items in the backpacks are a welcome surprise during the holidays," Andrade said in the press release. "We are grateful for partners like Coca-Cola Consolidated and The Boys & Girls Club who continue to support our communities during a season that can be difficult for so many."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is located in Annapolis at 121 South Villa Ave.

More information on the club is posted at bgcaa.org. Residents can visit bgca.org/get-involved/find-a-club to locate other nearby clubs.