Latest news with #BackpackBuddies
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Alcoa Pinjarra partners with local charity
Alcoa's Pinjarra Alumina Refinery has committed $10,000 to local not-for-profit organisation Bridge Builders. The partnership supports Bridge Builders' Backpack Buddies program, which helps ensure children facing hardship have access to nutritious weekend meals. Bridge Builders' School Program co-ordinator Leandri Cronje (left), Bridge Builders volunteers Craig Brierley, Rod Stuart and Bee Ann Jansons, and Alcoa's Heather Scott deliver the backpacks to Carcoola Primary School. Credit: Supplied Employees from the refinery's community relations team volunteered at Bridge Builders to help fill backpacks for Carcoola Primary School students. Carefully tailored to meet dietary needs and family sizes — some supporting up to six siblings — each backpack was filled with breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, fruit, milk and a loaf of bread, plus a personalised note to lift each child's spirits. Backpack Buddies schools program co-ordinator Leandri Cronje said Alcoa's support had enabled them to reach an extra 12 students who otherwise would have gone without. 'Alcoa's support goes beyond funding; their team brought incredible heart and energy when they joined us to pack the bags,' she said. 'It reminds us that Backpack Buddies is about so much more than food — it's about community, dignity, and hope.' Pinjarra Alumina Refinery manager Jodie Giraudo said Alcoa was committed to supporting the community and assisting young people through these types of partnerships. 'Our team was truly moved by the care and thought that goes into every backpack,' Ms Giraudo said. 'It's more than food, it's dignity, kindness and connection. Alcoa is proud to stand beside organisations like Bridge Builders that are making real, immediate differences in the lives of local children.' Bridge Builders CEO Kelly Hinder said partnerships like this built stronger communities and ensured no child went hungry. 'Local children deserve to feel safe, valued and supported,' she said. 'When local businesses — whether large corporations or small family-run enterprises — choose to invest in grassroots charities, it sends a powerful message of hope. Together we can do incredible things.' Backpack Buddies is one of several support initiatives run by Bridge Builders, which also runs a weekly community pantry, Birthday in a Box, and Gift of Christmas programs.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sparkle City Rythm and Rib Festival raises money to give back to the community
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The annual Sparkle City Rhythm and Ribs Festival wrapped up today on Saturday, and organizers said their goal was to give back to the community. It was a lively Saturday night at Barnett Park in downtown Spartanburg, as the smell of food filled the air and the sounds of gospel music drew in a crowd. It was all a part of the 9th annual Sparkle City Rhythm and Ribs Festival put on by the Spartanburg Southside Lions Club. 'The vendors are here with wonderful food, and you can smell the aromas all over the park now,' said Earlene Corrothers with the Spartanburg Southside Lions Club. But behind all the fun, is a good cause. The Spartanburg Southside Lions Club's main goal is to serve and meet the needs of the community. The festival is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds raised on Saturday will go back into the community. 'The purpose of the event is to raise money to help the lions with the service projects that we have, we buy eyeglasses for people who are less fortunate cannot afford it,' Corrothers added. 'We buy food for the program of Backpack Buddies where kids go home on the weekend and don't have food to eat.'The Spartanburg Southside lions say they are in need of more volunteers; you can apply to be a member here. Spartanburg Southside Lions said in December they hold a Christmas Gala, which they have been hosting for 14 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I wasn't going to fork out for a Labubu so nabbed a budget alternative from B&M instead – it's SO much cuter too
THEY'RE the ugly little monsters people are going mad for. But if you're not willing to fork out for a Labubu - which can fetch a whopping £70 online - there's a budget-friendly alternative you can get in your local B&M. Advertisement 7 Becky took to TikTok to share a video of herself and a pal with their B&M Hello Kitty blind bags Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 The £5 Backpack Buddies come in eight different designs Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 She and her friend ended up getting matching ones, with the cat sitting in a teacup Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 The designs are loads cheaper than the pricey Labubu bag charms Credit: Supplied Becky took to her TikTok page to share a video of herself and a friend doing an unboxing of the Hello Kitty toys, which come on a keyring ready to attach to your bag. The £5 Backpack Buddies are in blind bags so you don't know which one you're getting, but there are eight different designs to collect. "If you don't want to spend a fortune on the Labubus, B&M have different collections where you get mystery toys - similar sort of concept," she said. "So we picked them up from B&M that are our favourites." Advertisement Read more Labubu stories SMASH & GRAB Labubu fan issues warning after thieves' smash & grab for 3 toys in their car Becky said her favourite designs were the cat dressed up in a cute yellow bear outfit, or the one sitting in a teacup. And she was lucky enough to get the latter, as she beamed with delight before showing what the keyring looked like attached to her bag - which was also a Hello Kitty design. "Hello Kitty bag, Hello Kitty keychain... that is SO cute!" Becky grinned. Her pal also got the same one, and said she was thrilled that they'd picked out matching designs. Advertisement "You need to branch out to B&M," she captioned the video. "Loved opening these! Such a great concept," her chuffed friend commented on the clip. The new Dove range that's even got Dani Dyer clearing the B&M shelves - it 'smells incredible' & prices start at £1.45 "Gonna go find this and tell my daughter it's a Hello Kitty Labubu!" a mum wrote in the comments section. "I love Hello Kitty and have been hunting in B&M for something like this and I've never found them!" someone else sighed. Advertisement "I'd rather a Hello Kitty or Pokémon than a Labubu but I think that's just my age," another admitted. "Omgg the fact you guys got matching - that's so cuteeee!!!" someone else gushed. While another admitted: "Off to B&M first thing tomorrow morning now. "Bet these will sell out quick!" Advertisement What are Labubu and why are they so popular? LABUBU is a brand of plushies designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and loved by celebrities like Olivia Attwood, Dua Lipa and Rihanna. The brand made its debut in 2015, but skyrocketed in global popularity after hitting Pop Mart shelves in 2019. Pop Mart is a Chinese toy retailer, known for its collectible designer models that are often sold in a blind box format, meaning you don't know what you've got until you've opened it. After mammoth success overseas, the Labubu craze has now made its way to the UK. The first three months of 2025 were wildly successful for the brand, with Brits searching high and low to nab one of the quirky figurines. Since opening stores in London and Manchester over the last 12 months, Labubu dolls have become cult collectibles among grown British women. Labubus come in an array of vibrant colours, unique shapes and various sizes, spanning from plush toys to striking vinyl figures. They come as little toys you can hook on your handbag, as well as mega-sized figures and quirky home decorations. With their bunny ears and creepy smiles, Labubu dolls have surged in popularity since being spotted on the bags of celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Olivia Attwood and Gemma Collins. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the vinyl figures are sold in 'blind boxes' — so fans do not know which version they are getting. 7 Becky showed what the keyring looked like when attached to her Hello Kitty bag Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 And it was so much cuter than the Labubus Credit: EPA Advertisement
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I wasn't going to fork out for a Labubu so nabbed a budget alternative from B&M instead – it's SO much cuter too
THEY'RE the ugly little monsters people are going mad for. But if you're not willing to fork out for a Labubu - which can fetch a whopping £70 online - there's a budget-friendly alternative you can get in your local B&M. Advertisement 7 Becky took to TikTok to share a video of herself and a pal with their B&M Hello Kitty blind bags Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 The £5 Backpack Buddies come in eight different designs Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 She and her friend ended up getting matching ones, with the cat sitting in a teacup Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 The designs are loads cheaper than the pricey Labubu bag charms Credit: Supplied Becky The £5 Backpack Buddies are in blind bags so you don't know which one you're getting, but there are eight different designs to collect. "If you don't want to spend a fortune on the Labubus, B&M have different collections where you get mystery toys - similar sort of concept," she said. "So we picked them up from B&M that are our favourites." Advertisement Read more Labubu stories Becky said her favourite designs were the cat dressed up in a cute yellow bear outfit, or the one sitting in a teacup. And she was lucky enough to get the latter, as she beamed with delight before showing what the keyring looked like attached to her bag - which was also a Hello Kitty design. "Hello Kitty bag, Hello Kitty keychain... that is SO cute!" Becky grinned. Her pal also got the same one, and said she was thrilled that they'd picked out matching designs. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous "You need to branch out to B&M," she captioned the video. "Loved opening these! Such a great concept," her chuffed friend commented on the clip. The new Dove range that's even got Dani Dyer clearing the B&M shelves - it 'smells incredible' & prices start at £1.45 "Gonna go find this and tell my daughter it's a Hello Kitty Labubu!" a mum wrote in the comments section. "I love Hello Kitty and have been hunting in B&M for something like this and I've never found them!" someone else sighed. Advertisement "I'd rather a Hello Kitty or Pokémon than a Labubu but I think that's just my age," another admitted. "Omgg the fact you guys got matching - that's so cuteeee!!!" someone else gushed. While another admitted: "Off to B&M first thing tomorrow morning now. "Bet these will sell out quick!" Advertisement What are Labubu and why are they so popular? LABUBU is a brand of plushies designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and loved by celebrities like Olivia Attwood, Dua Lipa and Rihanna. The brand made its debut in 2015, but skyrocketed in global popularity after hitting Pop Mart shelves in 2019. Pop Mart is a Chinese toy retailer, known for its collectible designer models that are often sold in a blind box format, meaning you don't know what you've got until you've opened it. After mammoth success overseas, the Labubu craze has now made its way to the UK. The first three months of 2025 were wildly successful for the brand, with Brits searching high and low to nab one of the quirky figurines. Since opening stores in London and Manchester over the last 12 months, Labubu dolls have become cult collectibles among grown British women. Labubus come in an array of vibrant colours, unique shapes and various sizes, spanning from plush toys to striking vinyl figures. They come as little toys you can hook on your handbag, as well as mega-sized figures and quirky home decorations. With their bunny ears and creepy smiles, Labubu dolls have surged in popularity since being spotted on the bags of celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the vinyl figures are sold in 'blind boxes' — so fans do not know which version they are getting. 7 Becky showed what the keyring looked like when attached to her Hello Kitty bag Credit: tiktok/copperboo 7 And it was so much cuter than the Labubus Credit: EPA Advertisement 7 Olivia Attwood is among the celebrities going mad for the little toys Credit: Instagram/olivia_attwood
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Student uses school leadership position to fundraise
The Mandurah Baptist College Primary School head boy is hoping to use his position to help children in need. Nate May, 11, hopes to use his leadership position to raise funds and awareness of the Backpack Buddies program run by local charity Bridge Builders. He currently volunteers at the organisation every week and has already raised more than $2400, which will feed three children in the Backpack Buddies program for the entire year. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Bridge Builders supports 180 children in 15 schools across the Peel region, with 40 more children in the community still on the waitlist. 'I can't imagine going home on the weekend to no food in the pantry,' Nate said. 'That's the sad reality for lots of kids in the community and I want to do as much as I can to help.' Bridge Builders CEO Kelly Hinder said Nate's dedication and leadership was truly inspiring. 'His passion for helping others embodies the spirit of community and generosity we strive to uphold at Bridge Builders,' she said. 'With his help and the support of our incredible community, we can ensure that no child in our region has to face hunger alone.' Nate May and his sister Mia volunteer at Bridge Builders every Thursday with their family Credit: Supplied Nate's mother Demi said she couldn't be prouder of her son's commitment and the positive impact he was making at such a young age. Nate will be helping MBC hold a whole school cereal domino event on June 25 to raise more donations for Bridge Builders. The event encourages every student to contribute a cereal box that will form a large domino chain. The cereal will then be donated to Bridge Builders, along with a gold coin donation. 'Please, if you can spare any loose change for hungry local kids, it would make my year,' Nate said.
