Greensboro community comes together for second Bust the Bus event

The 2021 Bust the Bus event occurred on Saturday, August 28. BackPack Beginnings partnered with Charles Aris Executive Search to host the fundraiser for a second year.

BackPack Beginnings is a nonprofit whose mission is to deliver child-centric services to feed, comfort and clothe children in need. Since 2010, the organization has assisted more than 64,000 Guilford County children and donated more than 2.5 million pounds of food.

With the pandemic posing new challenges for BackPack Beginnings’ programs, the organization had to find new ways to continue their services. In August of last year, BackPack Beginnings and Charles Aris decided to make the switch from the annual Kirkwood 5K to Bust the Bus, which aims to fill a bus with donations for local children in need. At the event, donors were able to drive up alongside the bus while volunteers unloaded donation items from their cars and onto the bus.

After the success of the event in 2020, volunteers and organizers were optimistic about this year’s fundraiser. Through the work of the Charles Aris marketing team, the event was covered by multiple local media outlets including the News & Record and WFMY News 2.

All in all, this year’s Bust the Bus yielded 2,298 pounds of food and $13,860 in monetary donations. Over a dozen sponsors, as well as the support of the community as a whole, contributed to the success of this impactful event.

Charles Aris vice president Ashlee Wagner recognizes the significance of this year’s fundraiser and is thankful for the community’s support in making it possible:

“Charles Aris is honored to be able to continue to support the mission of BackPack Beginnings. It’s a critical moment in time as we are experiencing another surge in the pandemic. Bringing back our Bust the Bus event allowed us to touch all three pillars of BackPack Beginnings’ mission of feeding, comforting and clothing children in need and doing so in a fun and safe way.”

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About Charles Aris Inc.

Charles Aris Executive Search quickly identifies and delivers world-class leaders who are qualified, available and interested in enhancing a client’s organization. The firm is recognized as the United States affiliate for global executive search alliance InterSearch. For 52 years, clients ranging from Fortune 500 firms to emerging innovators have relied on Charles Aris to place A-level talent in high-demand roles. The firm’s expertise, execution, focus on cultural fit and pinpoint deliverables connect leaders with opportunities worldwide in a variety of industries and functions.

About BackPack Beginnings

BackPack Beginnings’ mission is to deliver child-centric services to feed, comfort and clothe children in need. In the last 11 years, the organization has assisted more than 64,000 Guilford County children and donated more than 2.5 million pounds of food. By ensuring food and basic necessities are given directly to children in need, the organization makes a positive and lasting impact on their health and well-being, as well as the community as a whole.