Ingalls Shipbuilding employees pack Backpack Buddy food bags for Jackson County Students
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WXXV)- As the new school year approaches, Ingalls Shipbuilding employees are stepping up to support local families.
Hundreds of volunteers gathered Wednesday to pack food bags for Jackson County students through the company’s annual Backpack Buddies Packing Party.
As the new school year approaches, Ingalls Shipbuilding employees are lending a helping hand to local families.
Volunteers packed 1,000 Backpack Buddy bags filled with food during the annual packing party. The bags will be distributed to schools throughout Jackson County, providing families with extra support as students head back to the classroom. Ingalls Stakeholder Engagement Manager Lisa Bradley said, “Backpack Buddy’s is an amazing program that sends food home for kids on weekends, just some extra nutrition. We all know when our kids are well fed, they learn better. As we are getting ready to kick off the back-to-school season it’s just a great way for our shipbuilders to give back, volunteer and set up a day to day where they can come after their shift, during their lunch hour, whenever is convenient and give back to these schools. So, we put a lot of effort in having really great volunteer opportunities for our shipbuilders last week. We gave back to Humane Society with 15,000 pounds of pet food. We volunteered to give the USO support through some care packages for deployed veterans. Lots of opportunities for our employees to be engaged. We want our shipbuilders to find their cause, connect to the mission but also do what’s important to you outside of work. Again, when we do those things together it makes us all stronger and it makes the shipyard a better place to be.”
The event gives Ingalls Shipbuilders a chance to give back to the community in a simple, but meaningful way, wrapping up the workday by helping neighbors in need and ensuring children have access to nutritious food outside of school. Electrical Apprentice Adonis Simms said, “I knew it was different when I woke up today, it wasn’t just for myself, it’s for the children. So that gave me a little bit more motivation because waking up three in the morning just for you ain’t that easy but for others, it made it easier to come here today and do that. It feels very good because I don’t see too many companies that’s out going like that. The fact that it opens your mind, you get to meet new people and actually see that you’re helping a community outside of your own or if that is your own that makes you feel good you know.”
