IMMOKALEE, FL – Lipman recently took a break from tomatoes to distribute more than 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies to Immokalee elementary and middle school students at a community event.

“We look forward to our backpack distribution event every year because it’s such a meaningful way to give back to the families and children in the Immokalee community,” said Jaime Weisinger, Community Relations Director for Lipman. “Encouraging education is very important to us, and we hope to serve even more children in the coming years.”

The funds for the backpacks and school supplies were collected during Lipman’s “Homerun Harvest” softball tournament in April, according to a press release.  Everglades Farm Equipmant, Bronco Packaging, Aljoma Lumber, Bruno Air Conditioning, Immokalee Produce Shippers and Produce Connection were all sponsors of the event.

In addition to the backpack distribution, more than 30 local organizations provided information and services to families during the event, including Habitat for Humanity; Immokalee Friendship House; Naples Shelter for Abused Women and Children; University of Florida/IFAS Extension; Health Care Network of Southwest Florida/Marion Fether Medical Center; Susan G. Komen Network; Imaginarium Science Center; Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, and PACE Center for Girls. Representatives from the Immokalee Fire Control District displayed emergency vehicles, and the Sheriff’s Department’s Crime Prevention Unit provided educational materials.

Lipman