Backpack program hosts second annual fundraiser

Parade of Tables 2016

By Sthefany Flores

Approximately 400 people gathered in Tucker Student Center’s Stewart, Hope, and Faith Halls Friday, Nov. 10 to participate in the second annual Parade of Tables.

 

The Parade of Tables is a fundraising event for the Little Bulldog Backpack Program, a non-profit organization affiliated with Gardner-Webb. The non-profit was created by Lou Ann Scates, registrar, and Susan Manahan, assistant professor of Biology.

 

“Students can get free breakfast and lunch from school but we don’t know what they have for supper or over the weekend… I can’t imagine a little child going hungry,” said Scates.

 

The Backpack program benefits Springmore Elementary school, a Title 1 school in Boiling Springs. The program relies on social workers to identify children who are in need of assistance.

 

Scates noted that hosting this fundraiser allows many clubs and associations to get involved and help the community. “With GWU’s emphasis on community service and Christian values I think we are serving those children.”

 

According to Scates, 25 children received a backpack with food each week in the program’s first year. This year, 36 children are receiving aid. Each backpack holds 10 food items that are ready to eat from the package or can be microwaved.

 

University clubs such as Lambda Pi Eta, Alpha Chi, and Gamma Sigma Epsilon help to pack backpacks for the program. Dr. Amanda Bridges, Lambda Pi Eta co-advisor, said that once the members of the communications honors society learned about the program they were excited to help.

 

“I can’t think of a more worthy cause for our students to participate in. It’s an opportunity to serve hungry children in our community,” she said.

 

There were 48 tables at this year’s Parade of Tables with their own unique decorations centered around this year’s theme “A Claus for Celebration.” Each table seated 8 people.

 

Each table had a unique name reflecting the interpretation of the theme by each club. Some notable mentions were the psychology club’s “Nutty Professors, Not Just At Christmas”, ROTC’s “G.I. Joe Christmas”, and Criminal Justice’s “Have You Been Naughty or Nice”.

 

For more information on the Little Bulldog Backpack Program visit littlebulldogbackpack.com. Donations are welcome.