Friday, September 7, Danielle Jonas co-hosted an exclusive charity event supporting the Vera Bradley and Blessings in a Backpack back-to-school tour at Greater Brunswick Charter School in New Brunswick, NJ.
Danielle and her husband Kevin Jonas joined the partnering brands in continuing the coast-to-coast philanthropy pledge in donating 25,000 backpacks filled with food to underprivileged children and their families across America.
On Friday, the facility’s private school yard was quickly transformed for students who were all treated to a memorable afternoon filled with games and take-home prizes including a pirate bounce, ring toss, skee ball, whack-a-mole, life-size connect-four, inflatable obstacle course, double shot basketball, two-minute drill football and much more.
Vera Bradley and Blessings in a Backpack’s philanthropic partnership will continue to mobilize communities, individuals, and resources to provide new backpacks and food for children who might otherwise go hungry.
In America, there are more than 13.1 -million children who are at risk of hunger. The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs, but Blessings in a Backpack want to make sure they’re getting nutritional meals over the weekend, too.
During the first year of the project, student surveys found that, in addition to no longer feeling weekend hunger pangs, children fed by Blessings in a Backpack experience the following impact on their lives:
- 59% find it is easier to learn at school.
- 60% do not get in trouble as much.
- 78% feel cared for by their community.
- 71% feel they are helping their family.
- 60% of children report that their school attendance is better.
If you want to get involved like Danielle Jonas, you can read more about the project here.