IMMOKALEE, Fla. – On Saturday, Aug. 15, Lipman, North America’s largest field tomato grower, distributed more than 1,300 backpacks filled with school supplies to Immokalee elementary and middle school students at its 4th annual free community event at the Immokalee Sports Complex.
“We look forward to our backpack distribution event every year because it greatly impacts children and families right here in our community,” said Jaime Weisinger, community relations director for Lipman and board chairman for Lipman Family Foundation. “Encouraging education is very important to our team at Lipman, and we hope to continue this program and serve even more children in the coming years.”
In addition to the backpack distribution, numerous local organizations provided information and services to families during the event, including: Habitat for Humanity; Harry Chapin Food Bank; U.S. Department of Education, Migrant Education Program; 4-H Foundation, Collier County; Florida State University Medical Center; Redlands Christian Migrant Association; University of Florida IFAS Extension Florida Family Nutrition Program; Immokalee High School; Florida Department of Health; and David Lawrence Center, Prevention Department. Representatives from the Immokalee Fire Control District displayed emergency vehicles, and the Sheriff Department’s Crime Prevention Unit provided educational materials, as well.
Funds to purchase the backpacks and school supplies were collected during Lipman’s “Run for Backpacks 5K.” More than 25 local organizations sponsored the run to help raise donations.
In addition to the backpack distribution, Lipman also offers scholarships to high school and college students in Collier and Lee counties as well as a textbook reimbursement program.
For more information about Lipman, visit www.lipmanproduce.com.
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About Lipman
Based in Immokalee, Fla., Lipman is the largest open field tomato grower in North America, providing dependable year-round fresh produce through an integrated network of research & development, farming, processing, and repacking. Farms in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, California and Mexico – totaling tens of thousands of acres – allow Lipman to grow and ship fresh produce 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.LipmanProduce.com.
Source: Lipman