Throughout November, actor, writer, producer and philanthropist Rachel Helson will be asking “What Could You Do With $80?” as she presents 1,000 BACKPACKS, a month-long campaign to raise money and awareness for Blessings in a Backpack.
Credit/Copyright: Jesse Danzig Fifteen Minutes Public Relations
As a longtime supporter of Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization oriented towards feeding elementary school children, Rachel has met the children and visited the schools whom the programs directly affect. For this initiative, she has enlisted other supporters including Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff, Paula Deen, Dwight Howard and Scarlett Johansson to participate in 1,000 Backpacks through PSAs, statements of support and messaging on their social networks.
1,000 Backpacks kicked off on November 1 with a Miley Cyrus PSA which can be viewed here or through the initiative’s tumblr page.
By asking what you can do with $80, Helson aims to show how little it takes to feed a single elementary school child for an entire school year. Blessings in a Backpack’s unique program is doing just that…serving over 25,000 children in 169 schools in 21 US States who have little or no food on the weekend, and whose families qualify for the federal free and reduced meal program.
What is $80 worth to you? Is a backpack every weekend to feed a hungry child worth $80? Would you pay $80 for one school year to see these results in elementary school children across the country…better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health, increased attendance?
Rachel’s initiative aims to provide 1,000 Backpacks to children this year. Rachel will call on people to visit www.bhp1000backpacks.com to donate or to simply text ‘Backpack’ to 85944 to make a $10 donation via their mobile phone.
With 1,000 Backpacks feeding children and improving education is one text away.
1,000 Backpacks is Rachel’s second initiative in as many months to build awareness for Blessings In A Backpack. In September she co-authored, with her mom Jan Helson, Philanthropy…A Big Word for Big-Hearted People, an illustrated children’s book aimed at increasing social awareness and the importance of giving back to the community. The heart-warming book is filled with real-life stories of children across the country who were inspired to use their means to give back to those in need, and encourages our youth to do the same by becoming Big Hearted People. Whether creating a website, volunteering on Thanksgiving, or holding a lemonade stand, this inspiring book uses real examples to encourage charitable giving for people of all ages.
Credit/Copyright: Jesse Danzig Fifteen Minutes Public Relations
Rachel is dedicated to making the world full with Big Hearted People. Whether reading a book to a child or supporting 1,000 Backpacks, philanthropy has never been easier.
