A message from our local Backpack Buddies organizations:
Dear Friends, Donors and Backpack Buddies Supporters-
We wanted to remind everyone of Gorski and Friends matching funds challenge and give you a brief summary of what is happening with the kids during the school closures. Frierson and Mt. Zion parents are picking up remote learning packages along with a couple of weeks of backpack buddies food on Monday and Tuesday. Haut Gap and Angel Oak kids will be picking up food at Haut Gap as part of their “grab and go” breakfast and lunch program. We will still continue to provide weekend bags to those children. We are all working together to ensure food security for these children during this time. We are concerned about the economic impact of this “shut down” and what it will mean for the parents’ livelihood. We anticipate our number of children in need of food to skyrocket after this crisis is over.
The Chili Cook-Off is canceled but we are continuing the Gorski and Friends Challenge which is an additional fundraiser to the chili cook-off. As you know, the Cook-Off is a fundraiser that benefits the Kiawah Women’s Foundation’s Backpack Buddies and Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island. Both group’s mission is to feed local, at risk of hunger, school children over the weekends. Together we feed 540 children every week. The results of the Gorski and Friends challenge is usually presented at the close of the chili cook-off each year. Mike Gorski will still announce the results of the Challenge on March 21, at 4 pm, but this year it will be done through email, social media, etc.
Twenty-eight very generous companies have collectively pledged $28,000 in matching funds and now it is up to the residents of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands to match those funds. We are closing in but still need some help to cross the finish line before March 21. Your donation doubles in value for this great cause.
To the 28 company sponsors and those residents who have already donated, a big thank you. We cannot adequately express our appreciation for your support and generosity. We hope to raise additional funds in the absence of the Chili Cook-Off event, but we need everyone’s help to reach the goal. Making a donation is very easy. Just call or text Mike Gorski at 864-316-3894 and tell him your donation amount or send your check directly to Kiawah Women’s Foundation at 535 Bufflehead, Kiawah Island, or to the Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island at 2460 Cat Tail Pond Road, Seabrook Island. If you send a check directly to Kiawah Women’s Foundation or Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island, please just text Mike at 864-316-3894 with your name and donation amount as he is keeping a “real-time tally.”
We appreciate all your support to our backpack buddies kids.
Todd Gerhart
Mike Gorski
Kiawah Women’s Foundation
Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island
-Submitted by Pat Greubel