The North Georgia Community YMCA (part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga association) has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that "harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide."
Occurring this year on Nov. 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
"#GivingTuesday kicks off the holiday giving season and inspires people to collaborate in improving their local communities and give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support," officials said. "Backpack Blessings, an outreach program of the North Georgia Community YMCA, once again has joined #GivingTuesday.
The Backpack Blessings program provides nutritious non-perishable food items to students each Friday to reduce weekend hunger and help prepare for Monday’s learning in the classroom. 565 students each week are provided meals free of charge by the program."
“Backpack Blessings is doing what no other program in this area is doing in its efforts to feed children in North Georgia over the weekend,” says Janet Dunn, president & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. “For some of the children receiving meals, it will be the only nutritious meal they receive until Monday mornings in the classroom.”
"In 2016, the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, millions of people in 98 countries came together to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $177 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness," officials said.
Those who are interested in joining the North Georgia Community YMCA’s #GivingTuesday initative can text ‘ybackpack’ to 71777. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website at
www.givingtuesday.org.