Lipman Family Farms Distributes 1,400 Backpacks to Schools
IMMOKALEE, FL - A commitment to community has long been part of Lipman Family Farms’ mission. For the past 10 years, the grower has been making sure students in Immokalee start the school year with a brand-new backpack and school supplies. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Backpack Giveaway will look different, but Lipman still plans on getting students the supplies they need.
“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. We really wanted to make sure our 10th year of giving was extra special but I think supporting families right now is our priority,” said Jaime Weisinger, Director of Community and Government Relations at Lipman Family Farms.
According to a press release, Lipman has been working with local schools and their staff on plans to distribute supplies directly to the schools. Unfortunately, Lipman’s Annual 5K Run for Backpacks had to be cancelled. This event, which typically helped raise donations for the backpack giveaway, went virtual. Although sponsorships were affected, Lipman remained positive that its charity work would still happen.
All in all, the virtual event hosted over 30 service providers like Harry Chapin Food Bank and Healthy Smiles. The exhibitors from the event are currently donating supplies to pack into the backpacks with information such as financial advising, educational support, and health services available.
“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. 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. We will be distributing 480 of our Harry’s Helpings food kits along with Lipman’s backpacks directly to the students and families that need it most,” stated Richard LeBer, President and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank.
No doubt this is one of several ways back-to-school will look different this year, and we thank those like Lipman that roll with the changes to maintain a strong commitment to their communities.
