September 29, 2025

Community Comes Together to Pack Backpacks for Children in Need

Asheville, September 29, 2025

News Summary

Volunteers at Highland Brewing Co. gathered to pack 720 backpacks filled with essential items for children in need, commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene. This collaborative initiative between Bank of America and Feed the Children aims to combat food insecurity and support local families as part of the ‘Heroes of Helene’ observance. The backpacks will be distributed through local schools in the Western Regional Education Service Alliance, with Bank of America committing over $1 million to disaster relief efforts in the region.

Asheville – On Thursday, volunteers gathered at Highland Brewing Co. to participate in backpack packing event, a collaboration between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children. This initiative is part of the observance of the “Heroes of Helene,” commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina.

A total of 720 backpacks were filled with essential items including school supplies, hygiene products, and shelf-stable meals for children in need. The filled backpacks will be distributed to local schools through the Western Regional Education Service Alliance.

This event marked the first activation of the national partnership between Feed the Children and Bank of America, which was established earlier this year. A representative from Bank of America indicated that the backpack packing aligns with the company’s focus on addressing issues of food insecurity and fulfilling basic needs.

Bank of America has already committed more than $1 million to disaster relief and recovery efforts in the region following Tropical Storm Helene. Earlier this month, the bank announced its investment of $12 million in zero-interest loans dedicated to affordable housing and small business recovery.

Organizers of the event anticipated participation from up to 2,000 community members, a plan that had been in the works for two months. This event also served as the first public volunteer opportunity hosted by Bank of America in partnership with Feed the Children, with discussions already in progress for similar events to take place in Los Angeles and Texas.

The initiative is aimed at providing support for families in Western North Carolina as they continue to recover from the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene. The ongoing challenge of food insecurity for families in the region complicates recovery efforts, especially in light of rising food and housing costs.

Volunteerism plays a crucial role at Bank of America, which allows employees to dedicate their paid hours to community service initiatives. This commitment underscores the bank’s dedication to providing meaningful assistance in areas affected by disasters.

FAQ

What was the purpose of the backpack-packing event in Asheville?

The backpack-packing event was linked to the “Heroes of Helene” anniversary observance, commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina.

How many backpacks were packed during the event?

A total of 720 backpacks were filled with essential items, including school supplies, hygiene products, and shelf-stable meals for children.

Who will receive the packed backpacks?

The filled backpacks will be distributed to local schools through the Western Regional Education Service Alliance.

What commitment has Bank of America made to disaster relief and recovery?

Bank of America has already committed over $1 million to disaster relief and recovery efforts in Western North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene.

Key Features of the Event

Detail	Information
Event Location	Highland Brewing Co., Asheville
Number of Backpacks Packed	720
Beneficiary Organization	Western Regional Education Service Alliance
Bank of America’s Disaster Relief Commitment	$1 million
Anticipated Community Participation	Up to 2,000
Future Event Locations	Los Angeles, Texas