The 4th annual backpack drive and Buzzed Spelling Bee event presented by Simply Stated Media will not be hosted traditionally this year due to COVID-19. Instead, the fundraiser will take place virtually. You can support the excellent cause by purchasing at-home spelling bee kits as well as donating online to provide backpacks and other supplies to the Tampa Bay area students in need. 

What's Their Goal?

The goal of BackPack To School is to raise money for Metropolitan Ministries' Back Packs Of Hope program in Tampa to provide local students with backpacks and other school supplies. Metropolitan Ministries provides backpacks, school supplies, and uniforms to over 5,000 children every year. BackPack To School helps by raising money every year for their cause as well as collecting backpacks and essential school supplies to donate to Metropolitan Ministries. Studies have shown students generally have higher self-esteem, a better attitude toward learning, as well as a higher level of engagement when they own new school supplies. "Help the kids get the tools they need to succeed," BackPack To School Organizer and Founder Raubi Perilli said. "Make an impact, give a backpack!"

Host an At-Home Spelling Bee

Since the organization can't host their annual Buzzed Spelling Bee event at 81Bay Brewing Company, BackPack To School brainstormed other possibilities. "There may be even more families in need than previous years," Raubi Perilli said. "So BackPack to School found a creative way to host our annual backpack drive." At-home spelling bee kits are available online for $15 with all proceeds going to Metropolitan Ministries. They offer three different kits: one designed for kindergarten and first graders, another for 3rd and 4th graders, and a kit designed for tweens, teens, and adults, ideally 8th grade and up. Each spelling bee kit sold gives a local student in need a new backpack and potentially the invaluable confidence and tools they need to succeed! To purchase a spelling bee kit visit https://sellfy.com/backpack-to-school/

Other Ways To Donate 

If spelling isn't your forte, you can still donate online to provide students with backpacks and other essential school supplies. A small donation of $15 equals a new backpack for a student in need in the Tampa Bay area. BackPack To School has already raised $1,325 this year and strives to raise even more! Your donation may lead a local student to a better 2020 school year, to make a donation visit https://sellfy.com/backpack-to-school/p/make-a-donation/

For more information about BackPack To School visit backpacktoschool.org

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Cover photo courtesy of 813area.com