BAP & SAS Build Blessing Bags with the Help of PWC

By: Brianna Kerrane

For the second year, our BAP and SAS members orchestrated a Blessing Bag Drive for the NEPA Youth Shelter, located in downtown Scranton.The NEPA Youth Shelter is a nonprofit organization that provides housing and after-school activities to local highschoolers in need. The shelter also provides food, clothing, educational resources, counseling, and a safe place for teenagers. As Scranton students, our members understand the significant impact that the NEPA Youth Shelter has on the community.

We held our Blessing Bag Drive throughout October where students, faculty, and staff donated individually packaged non-perishable food and beverages, clothing items, water bottles, and personal care products. At the conclusion of the drive, BAP and SAS held a Build-a-Blessing Bag, sponsored by PWC. Several firm representatives (and Scranton alumni) came to support our cause and began the community service event with a discussion on the importance of community service to one’s professional career. Each of the PWC representatives spoke about their personal experiences volunteering and how the firm dedicates forty hours each year for every employee to participate in volunteer initiatives. The representatives also discussed how they were able to expand their network through these experiences.

After the presentation concluded, our BAP and SAS members along with our PWC friends packed more than 70 University of Scranton drawstring bags with the donated items, hand-written greeting cards, and Scranton accounting fact cards for distribution at the NEPA Youth Shelter. Thank you to our members, everyone who donated to the cause, and our PWC friends for having such a successful event!