United Way of Anderson County will host their annual Buy-A-Box fundraiser on March 16th. The goal is to raise over $50,000 to fill 1,000 boxes to support their Weekend SnackPack program. The program feeds over 800 students every weekend throughout the school year. For $50, a person can “Buy a Box” which feeds 8 students in need over the weekend.
The Weekend SnackPack program provides a bag of food every Friday to children in need to bridge the weekend meal gap — when school lunch and breakfast programs are not available. Teachers, nurses, and school counselors identify the children who are at greatest risk of missing meals during weekends. These children often have little or nothing to eat at home, and return to school on Monday hungry, tired, and ill-prepared to learn. This effort has been made possible through a partnership among the United Way of Anderson County, the faith-community, all five area school districts, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and a variety of other organizations and volunteers who help pack and deliver the SnackPack boxes.
Becky MacDonald, the Weekend SnackPack Coordinator, believes in the cause and the impact it has on local children. “It costs approximately $150,000 to feed over 800 children every weekend for an entire school year. This is a small price to ensure our youngest students are well-fed and can come to school ready to learn,“ said MacDonald.
“I am so grateful to live in such a caring community. Last year, the community really stepped up and raised approximately $50,000 through donations from individuals and churches in just one day! Our goal for this year’s Buy-A-Box Day, March 16, is to beat our $50,000 goal again. Money raised will help cover a portion of the annual costs of feeding the children in the program every weekend for an entire school year.” said Kevin Capell, President and CEO of the United Way of Anderson County, “I believe the people of Anderson County can and will do it!”
To Buy a Box (or more) you can go to www.unitedwayofanderson.org/buy-a-box or mail your donation to United Way of Anderson County, P.O. Box 2067, Anderson, SC 29622. For more information contact Jada Hudson with the United Way of Anderson County at 864-226-3438 ext. 108.
About United Way of Anderson County advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on creating healthy communities, financial stability, youth opportunities, and community resiliency. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done “United is the Way” is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org or locally visit www.unitedwayofanderson.org.
