ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.

The event, held in connection with the Heroes of Helene anniversary observance, brought together bank employees, community members and nonprofit partners to assemble 720 backpacks for children in Western North Carolina.

Dan Stephens, of Feed the Children, said the effort was the first public activation of a national partnership with Bank of America launched this year.

“This allows us to stand with our community while we’re all still recovering after Hurricane Helene and provide support to the families that need it most,” Stephens said.

The backpacks include three categories of items: school supplies, personal care items such as shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant, and shelf-stable meals for children who may face food insecurity outside of school hours.

April Brown, who leads community engagement efforts for Bank of America, said the project aligns with the company’s philanthropic priorities, which include addressing food insecurity and basic needs.

“Our teammates are volunteering during work hours to help set up and host this event so the public can also participate in giving back,” Brown said. “Volunteerism is one of our core values.”

Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.
Volunteers gathered Thursday at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville to fill backpacks with school supplies, food and hygiene products as part of a partnership between Bank of America and the nonprofit Feed the Children.

The bank has already committed more than $1 million to disaster relief and recovery in Western North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene. Earlier this month, it announced $2 million in zero-interest loans to support affordable housing and small business recovery.

Organizers expected as many as 2,000 people to participate in the Asheville backpack-packing event, which was planned over the past two months. While this was the first time Bank of America and Feed the Children hosted a volunteer opportunity open to the public, both groups said they are discussing similar events in Los Angeles, Texas and other markets impacted by natural disasters.