NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Papa John's presented a check for $16,169 to Titans safety Michael Griffin for his Dreambuilders charitable program on Thursday.
The funds, which were raised over the last football season through Papa John's "Michael Griffin Special" promotion, are being used to help fund the Blessings in a Backpack program at Shwab Elementary School in East Nashville.
Papa John's presented a check for $16,169 to Titans safety Michael Griffin to help fund the 'Blessings in a Backpack' program at Shwab Elementary School in East Nashville. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
The program provides bags of healthy foods and snacks to disadvantaged kids at Shwab to take home on the weekends. These bags are given discreetly to kids who come from dire home circumstances that prevent them from having access to nutritious meals at home. Thursday's donation, combined with a prior contribution from the Sallee Family of Franklin, Tenn., has ensured that all 350 students at Shwab are being fed each Friday.
"I am very grateful for the support Papa John's has shown for my Dreambuilders program and its efforts to feed kids here in Nashville over the last few years," said Griffin, who will enter his ninth season with the Titans this fall. "The backpacks of food that we are able to provide these kids through Blessings in a Backpack keep them from going hungry over the weekends and give them the energy they need to stay active and enjoy being kids."
Blessings in a Backpack currently feeds more than 76,000 children in 44 states and the District of Columbia, and was named People magazine's Charity of the Year in 2012.
"We are honored to partner with the Dreambuilders Foundation and Michael Griffin in joining the fight against childhood hunger," said Beth Bush, Blessings in a Backpack's Director of Partnerships. "Through Michael's work with Papa John's, these children will have nutritious food to eat over the weekend and can go back to school on Monday, nourished and ready to learn."
Papa John's has raised more than $50,000 for Michael Griffin's Dreambuilders program and its efforts to feed disadvantaged kids in Nashville since 2012.
"Papa John's is thrilled to continue to support Michael Griffin's Dreambuilders," said Bobby Meroney, Papa John's VP of Operations. "It truly is a great partnership, and we are particularly proud to help all of the children at Shwab have access to healthy foods over the weekends."
