By Tim Saunders on
Singer and actress Hilary Duff is expected to visit an elementary school in Florida on behalf of the Blessings In A Backpack program today, March 4.
The 21-year-old star is scheduled to appear at Tice Elementary School in Fort Myers to raise awareness of the program, which aims to feed elementary school children who qualify for the federal free and reduced meal program and may not have any or enough food on the weekends. Every Friday, students receive backpacks with food that requires little to no preparation. They return with their backpacks on Monday ready to learn, with better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, and improved health.
In the area surrounding Fort Myers, the number of children participating in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program has increased dramatically from 50 percent last year to 62 percent this year.
“[Hilary’s] heart will always be bigger than her celebrity,” said Stan Curtis, founder of Blessings in a Backpack. “She feeds 1,100 children a week in Los Angeles. You won’t find a famous person more visible and vocal when it comes to her philanthropy.”
Duff was a guest at Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference Oscar Party last month, and is a supporter of charities such as Kids With A Cause, Return To Freedom, and USA Harvest.
She is expected to meet students and staff of Tice Elementary School and talk about the Blessings In A Backpack program. The event is not open to the public.
More info about the program can be found here.
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