Touchdown Backpacks

Description

CHAMPAIGN, AUGUST 8, 2012 - The Junior League of Champaign-Urbana and Roland Realty are teaming up for a game-watch party as the Fighting Illini travel to Tempe, AZ to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Touchdowns! Backpacks! event will be held on Saturday, September 8th at Fat City Bar and Grill located at 505 S. Chestnut Street, Champaign. All proceeds support JLCU's Backpack Buddies program, which provides backpacks of food each week for children at risk of going hungry during the weekends. More than 45 percent of local students qualify for free or reduced lunches. In 2006, JLCU and the Eastern Illinois Foodbank developed a partnership with area schools to feed children identified as going hungry or malnourished over the weekend. Grocery bags of healthy, easy to prepare foods are packaged and distributed to participating schools every Friday during the school year. The need has continued to grow over the years. Nearly 20,000 sacks of food were distributed to 700 children over the 2011-2012 academic year through Backpack Buddies. Touchdowns! Backpacks! is the first major fundraising event of the year supporting JLCU's goal of raising $100,000 before June 2013 for projects, like Backpack Buddies, that impact the Champaign-Urbana community. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. with kickoff at 9:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy drink specials with the purchase of a $5.00 wrist band. Included in the price are deals on 16-ounce draft beers, well drinks, and shots. For $10 more, guests can also enjoy a buffet full of nachos and wings. A 50/50 drawing will be held at half time, and raffle items will be available all night. Additional parking is available courtesy of Green Street Realty, 24 E. Green Street. The Junior League, which is also on the list of charities at this year's Car X Crazy K, is encouraging community members to join in the fight against hunger by getting muddy for a cause during the day and getting rowdy for the Illini that night. Th