In 2009, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Parent Connection established the Beach Bags program to provide meals and healthy snacks to students who may not have enough to eat during weekends and school vacations. The outreach program continues to date thanks entirely to donations from community members, areas businesses and school organizations.
To encourage support during the summer months, VBCPS is partnering with WTKR NewsChannel 3, Southern Bank, RK Chevrolet and Pembroke Mall to host a Beach Bags food drive Thursday, July 14.
Volunteers will collect donations for the Beach Bags program from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at three locations in Virginia Beach: Pembroke Mall (Kohl’s parking lot behind Walgreens) at 4554 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Southern Bank at 3720 Virginia Beach Boulevard and RK Chevrolet at 2651 Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Tax-deductible donations made payable to the Virginia Beach Education Foundation will be accepted in addition to any of the following food items:
- Individual-sized cereal boxes or oatmeal
- 8-ounce servings of shelf-stable milk
- Individual-sized meals (ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, chunky soups, etc.)
- 4-ounce or larger fruit cups
- 100% juice boxes
- Snack items (granola bars, pudding cups, pretzels, trail mix, snack crackers, etc.)
Individuals, businesses and organizations may make food or monetary donations to the Beach Bags program throughout the year by contacting the Office of Community Engagement at 757-263-1936 or beachbags@vbschools.com. For more information about the program, visit www.vbschools.com/beachbags.