Traffic stretched for nearly half a mile down West Pecan Street on Friday, July 31, as children eagerly waited for a free backpack to help start the new school year. Thanks to a partnership between Pilgrim’s of Mount Pleasant and Mount Pleasant High School Lady Tiger Head Basketball Coach Crystal Jackson, 400 backpacks found new homes in just 20 minutes. Pilgrim’s employees joined MPHS student-athletes from multiple sports to distribute the backpacks, ensuring every family in line received one before supplies ran out.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” said Coach Crystal Jackson. “The greatness of the community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. When God opens a door for you, pull someone else through.”

MPISD Meet the Teacher events are scheduled for August 12 and 13. The first day of school in MPISD is Tuesday, August 18.

Photos:

1: Drayson McDaniel hands out two backpacks

2: Miss Juneteenth NETX and MPHS senior, Natalie Hines asks how many the family needed

3: KK Brannon hands a backpack to a student

4: A family receives new backpacks from Kammie Terrell

5: Volunteers included Pilgrim’s employees and MPHS students, coaches, and staff