COVINGTON, Ga. - Golden State Foods Foundation has donated backpacks full of school supplies for Newton County School System (NCSS) students. In all, 300 backpacks stuffed with school supplies will make it into the hands of NCSS students who need them.
According to Ms. Joni Smith, executive administrative assistant and foundation chair for Golden State Foods (GSF), each book bag contains a pack of paper, spiral notebook, pencil case, pencils, markers, crayons, ruler, box of tissues, erasers, glue stick and scissors. Regulatory Affairs Manager Karen Fenichel, Human Resources Manager Rosemary Cook, Human Resources Generalist Janice Jones and Executive Administrative Assistant Travonna Houston, all committee members of the GSF Foundation in Conyers, delivered and presented the book bags to Samantha Fuhrey, superintendent of NCSS, Friday, July 21.
“We appreciate Golden State Foods’ continued support of our students,” Fuhrey said. “For many years now, Golden State Foods has donated backpacks with school supplies to distribute to our students in need. This is a wonderful program and I can assure you, these backpacks will mean a great deal to the students who receive them.”
According to Fuhrey, each of the school district’s elementary and middle schools will receive backpacks to distribute as needed.
“In 2007, Golden State Foods established a national backpack program as a successful model to help children begin the school year with a proper and complete set of school supplies,” Smith said. “This is consistent with our mission and the program helps to engage our associates in meaningful, charitable activities that make a difference in the lives of those in need. The fact is, many students begin the school year with inadequate or no supplies, and this program meets this need. We also hope students feel encouraged by the support they receive from our company and associates. Education is important and we want the students to have the tools they need to start the school year off right.”
Smith noted that employees from GSF stuffed each of the backpacks with school supplies. In all, the group donated 300 backpacks to NCSS, 235 to Boys & Girls Club Barksdale Center in Conyers, 250 to Rockdale County Schools and 50 to a local women’s shelter.
According to Smith, the backpacks and school supplies are paid for by GSF's associates, with funding coming through payroll deductions and multiple fundraisers. All of the money collected is put back into the local community.
