When John Simourian II of Lily Transportation learned about Backpack68, he was moved to make a difference.

What specifically motivated you to donate to Backpack68?

We are longtime donors to The Salvation Army. When Captain Knight explained the 68 hours between lunch on Friday and breakfast on Monday, it just hit home. My three kids have never had to worry about a meal. Neither have I.  

It’s heartbreaking that kids have to be anxiety-ridden. I can’t imagine how they study, how they cope. If the kids we saw in the video are hungry, then there are other hungry kids at home. I knew I needed to do something.

With so many needs, how do you decide which causes to support?

Our giving priority is the most vulnerable people in the world: women and children experiencing poverty. The Captain started talking and it broke me apart inside. I’m a big believer that God speaks to you as long as you’re willing to listen.

He said they had spent $15,000 to get it started. I decided I would give him a check for $25,000 to really get the program going.

You gave a second gift soon after that first donation. How did that come about?

Later that same night, I was telling my wife the story. Candace looked at me and said, “John, if it cost $15,000 to get it started, and you gave him $25,000, it sounds like you didn’t give him enough.” Needless to say, we made another donation.

If more people want to know what it feels like to feel warm and wonderful, I would say, “Give.” You see a little kid light up, that’s everything.

READ MORE about our Backpack68 program.