Charles Aris partners with local charity to host upcoming food drive event, Bust the Bus

Greensboro, N.C. – Charles Aris Executive Search is continuing its partnership with BackPack Beginnings, a Guilford County-based charity, to support the Bust the Bus food drive on Sunday, Aug. 14 outside of First National Bank Baseball Field.

This event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m., just before the Greensboro Grasshoppers home game against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

The goal is to collect enough nonperishable food donations to fill an entire bus, which will be stationed on Bellemeade Street by the entrance to First National Bank Field. These donations will then be distributed to children and families in need by BackPack Beginnings.

“This partnership is more important this year than any other year,” said the charity’s Founder/Volunteer Executive Director Parker White. “We’re seeing a 50% reduction in food donations and an increased need across the county, so this Bust the Bus event is a blessing to our programming during these difficult times.”

As a 95% volunteer 501(c)(3), BackPack Beginnings works to deliver food, clothing and comfort to over 17,000 children experiencing hunger and trauma in Guilford County.

Over the last 10 years, Charles Aris and BackPack Beginnings have partnered for fundraisers like the Kirkwood 5K and previous Bust the Bus events. Conceptualized in 2020, Bust the Bus originally took place outside of Charles Aris’ headquarters in downtown Greensboro, N.C., via a drop-off format. This year, both organizations are excited to work with the Greensboro Grasshoppers to host this event in-person.

“I’m really excited about this year’s Bust the Bus event because for the first time we’re partnering with the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball team to make this the biggest donation year ever,” said Charles Aris CEO Chad Oakley. “We’re going to need two buses!”

In 2021, Bust the Bus raised $13,860 in monetary donations and collected 2,298 pounds of non-perishable food for those in need throughout the Greensboro area. In addition to physical donations, BackPack Beginnings is currently seeking sponsors to support this event. Some of the major-level sponsors include Granville Partners, Fleet Feet, Biscuitville and Davenport & Co.

To become a sponsor, email Parker White (parker@backpackbeginnings.org) with the info below:

• Sponsorship level and payment information. Payments can be made via the PayPal link on BackPack Beginnings’ website (please add “Bust the Bus Sponsor” to the notes section before checking out) or by mailing a check made out to BackPack Beginnings to 1852 Banking Street, #9024, Greensboro, N.C. 27408 with a note of “Bust the Bus Sponsor.”
• High resolution PNG/JPEG of the logo.

Questions? Contact Parker White at (336) 709-9649 or parker@backpackbeginnings.org.