Benedict College Students Stock Backpacks for Elementary School

Five Criminal Justice classes at Benedict College collected breakfast and snack items in March, then packed them into backpacks on April 20 for delivery to Watkins-Nance Elementary School the following day.

Dr. Deborah Hunter-Clark and Lisa Taylor delivered the donations. The project connects to coursework on food insecurity and its effects on students and families.

"Criminal Justice professionals need to understand the challenges they will encounter as they work with the public," Hunter-Clark said.

The partnership between Benedict College and Watkins-Nance Elementary began in 2024. The spring backpack initiative focuses on student participation, while a fall Stuff-A-Bus effort involves the entire Benedict College community. Monica Hampton, an adjunct Criminal Justice instructor, also coordinated the project.