CONTRIBUTED

Visitors to Moore County Schools on Thursday, Feb. 10, may see a number of employees dressed in jeans, and it's all for a good cause.

The Moore County Educational Office Professionals (MCEOP) are sponsoring a "Denim Day" to benefit BackPack Pals. On that Thursday, employees may choose to pay $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans to work. All proceeds will go to the BackPack Pals program.

BackPack Pals is a Moore County Schools initiative that provides a backpack filled with food every weekend for students whose families may benefit from the weekly items. The program began in 2005 with one school and 25 students. It has now grown to all 24 schools in Moore County and serves more than 800 students. The food items are purchased entirely with donations from community and school groups, as well as individual contributions.

MCEOPs have supported the BackPack Pals program in the past; however, this is the first year for their "Denim Day" event. If an employee does not wish to wear jeans on that day, he or she can still help by donating requested food items to BackPack Pals. A food collection box will be placed at each campus. Items needed for the program include, small individually wrapped boxes of cereal, ramen noodle soup packets, fruit cups, juice boxes, pudding cups, Jell-o cups and small cans of beans and wieners.

MCEOP President Dianne Dann said, "Having worked in the schools, I have seen firsthand how this program can benefit many of our students."

"And Denim Day gives all of our employees district-wide the opportunity to contribute to this worthy cause," says Nancy Freelance, MCEOP special projects chair.

The MCEOPs plan projects each year that will benefit students. In addition to BackPack Pals, the group has conducted the Bundles of Love program to provide hats and scarves to students during cold weather, and they give two $1,000 scholarships each year to deserving seniors.

"We decide from year to year what our next project will be," Dann said, "but it is always something to meet the needs of our students."

The MCEOP group is made up of approximately 58 clerical staff at the district and school level and is also open to Sandhills Community College staff. Associate memberships are also available for administrators.

For more information about the BackPack Pals program or to make a contribution, contact Linda Hubbard, volunteer coordinator, Moore County Schools, at (910) 947-2342 or at lhubbard@ncmcs.org.