The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Chamber Young Professionals (CYP) and Independence Bank are sponsoring a Backpack Bash to raise awareness for the backpack program this Saturday.
The bash will be held on the front lawn at Kentucky Wesleyan College Saturday, August 13, 2016, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The FREE, fun-filled afternoon will include:
- popcorn and drinks,
- dunkin booth,
- corn hole,
- hula-hoop contest,
- face painting,
- and autographs with the Kentucky Mavericks basketball team.
Parking is available on Scherm Road.
As a Commercial Loan Officer at Independence Bank and the chair of the CYP Executive Committee, Andrew Howard will be wearing two hats at this event. “It’s been great for CYP to partner with Independence Bank for this project because Independence Bank does so much for our community. This is a great way for our (CYP’s) philanthropy committee to be involved in a project that greatly impacts our community.”
Taylor Edge, with Riney Hancock CPA’s, is the CYP Philanthropy Chair. She says Independence Bank has implemented their backpack program, which is aimed at combating childhood hunger, for several years. Through the program, backpacks with food are subtly sent home to deserving students over the weekends. “We worked with Cindy Morgan and Darrell Higginbotham at Independence. It’s a great partnership because we can support their efforts and they run it all through the Independence Bank Foundation, which is great for donors because of the tax benefits.”
It costs $50 to support one student for a school year.
Independence has grown their backpack program to nearly 100 students by the start of 2016. Jennifer Keller, past CYP Chair, was already involved in the program, so when CYP organized its philanthropy program in January it was a natural progression to partner with Independence Bank’s backpack program. The partnership has resulted in supporting nearly 70 additional students.
“Our goal is 300,” Taylor said, confidently. “What we’re trying to do now is get the word out to more businesses and individuals about the program.”
Which explains what the Backpack Bash is all about.
Kentucky Wesleyan’s front lawn is a high-traffic area. Organizers are hoping the rain holds off long enough to attract a nice crowd and raise awareness for the program.
Keller, Howard, Taylor, and other CYP members will be at the booth during the bash to answer questions and accept sponsorships for anyone interested in supporting the backpack program.
