Lipman Family Farms Distributes More Than 5,000 Backpacks Across 12 Communities

IMMOKALEE, FL - As children head back to school, Lipman Family Farms lives its Good From The Ground Up® commitment by handing out more than 5,000 backpacks to children in communities where its employees live and work. What started with a single event in Immokalee, Florida, is now a 16-year Lipman tradition that brings back-to-school necessities to students in 12 cities.

Lipman’s founder, Max Lipman, could not read or write. As he built the company that became Lipman Family Farms, he made sure his children got the education he never had. Nearly a century later, thousands of kids start the year ready to learn, with backpacks, supplies and food, thanks to the help of Lipman Family Farms and many community partners.

According to a press release, the company’s annual backpack giveaway brings all three of its philanthropic pillars together: children, education and hunger relief.

“Kids who are equipped and fed are ready to learn,” said Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms. “Prepared kids who are excited about the coming year is reason enough to do what we do, but we’re also building strong communities by supporting tomorrow’s community leaders with good food, caring people and strong schools.”

On Saturday in Immokalee, Lipman distributed roughly 1,900 backpacks to local students. With assistance from partner organizations, the event also supplied 1,300 pairs of shoes, 300 bikes and 300 gift cards.

In Knoxville, Tennessee, the second-largest Lipman giveaway event, nearly 700 backpacks were distributed. In Hendersonville, North Carolina, over 600 backpacks were handed out. 

Other events around North America are being held this month in Arizona, California, Texas, Central Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, and Sonora, Mexico.

Lipman relies on many local partners who make the backpack giveaway possible. At tables and tents, these collaborators provide resources, health information, food and more. In Immokalee, Healthcare Network was on-site to provide health screenings, dental and medical information, socks and giveaways.

“We were thrilled to spend the day with families getting ready for school,” said Jamie Ulmer, CEO of Healthcare Network, a presenting sponsor of the backpack giveaway in Immokalee. “Together, we’re giving local kids a great start.”

To nourish students as they begin the school year, Harry Chapin Food Bank offered donated produce, meat, canned goods and other food items.

“Lipman Family Farms understands that when children have access to nutritious food, they are better prepared to learn, grow, and succeed,” said Jennifer Denike, chief development officer of Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Through this partnership, families receive the school supplies they need to start the year strong, along with nutritious food that helps put meals on the table. Together, we are addressing immediate needs while helping children arrive at school ready to learn and succeed.”

Many organizations that work with Lipman on its backpack giveaway are year-round partners. Boys & Girls Clubs spearhead backpack assembly and logistics in multiple markets to make events successful. Lipman and Boys & Girls Clubs team up for a variety of community and funding initiatives. Earlier this year, Lipman committed $2 million to Harry Chapin Food Bank, and Lipman donates more than a million pounds of produce annually. Lipman’s employees volunteer with Harry Chapin Food Bank and like-minded organizations to assemble holiday meals and support food distributions.

Lipman Family Farms is proud to be a part of the back-to-school season in many communities, and the company is grateful to live its Good From the Ground Up values.