WEBVTT
00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:04.639
Yeah, I'm eating Mike and Ikees, which is a big supporter of United Way.
00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:06.080
I love Mike and Ike.
00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:06.480
Do you?
00:00:06.639 --> 00:00:07.759
Do you also like hot tamales?
00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:08.800
Yes.
00:00:09.039 --> 00:00:10.240
What about peeps?
00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:11.279
No.
00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:19.039
Peeps, Mike and Ikees, and Hot Tamales are all made by the same company based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:20.800
I think I knew the Bethlehem part.
00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.719
My husband, though, is a big Peeps fan.
00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:23.839
He does not like the other two.
00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:26.960
So between the two of us, then you've got the trifecta in the house.
00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:28.239
You've got the company covered.
00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:28.559
Yes.
00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:29.120
Yeah.
00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:31.839
Welcome back to So Let's Talk Columbus.
00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:37.039
I'm Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio.
00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:39.200
Here's something I want you to think about.
00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:46.399
That first day of school, the new backpack, the fresh set of crayons, the nerves, and the excitement.
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.799
For a lot of kids in Central Ohio, that first day looks a little different.
00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:53.520
They show up without the supplies on the list.
00:00:53.679 --> 00:01:02.079
And when a child doesn't have what they need, it doesn't just affect their first day, it affects their confidence, focus, and ability to learn.
00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:03.759
Here's why that matters.
00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:11.120
Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is the single greatest predictor of whether a child will graduate from high school.
00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:16.879
Students not reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out.
00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:20.640
That's not just a school problem, that's a community problem.
00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:30.159
We also know from the new Alice data that nearly two out of five families with young children in Central Ohio are living paycheck to paycheck.
00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:40.719
They're working and doing everything right, but when the cost of BASIC keeps outpacing wages, a backpack in school supplies can genuinely be out of reach.
00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:45.840
That's exactly the gap that's today's guest set out to fill.
00:01:46.159 --> 00:02:08.879
Jen Kaiser is the Director of Operations at NBC4WCMH, and she is the heart and engine behind Stuff the Backpack, a campaign she built from scratch that has now equipped more than 240,000 students with what they need to show up ready to learn, driven entirely by volunteers every single year.
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:19.199
United Wave of Central Ohio is proud to be a co-sponsor, and this year we're hosting our stuffing event at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, August 4th.
00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:27.199
And our goal is to surpass last year's 850 volunteers who stuffed over 10,000 backpacks.
00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:30.800
Jen, welcome to So Let's Talk Columbus.
00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:31.919
Thanks for having me.
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:39.840
Jen, before we get into all things stuff the backpack, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up at NBC 4.
00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.719
Oh my, that was a while ago.
00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:59.840
Um I was a student at Ohio State and um had just been accepted into the School of Medical Communications and was also uh trying to achieve a theater minor.
00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:01.599
That's an interesting combination.
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:03.599
It is an interesting combination.
00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:12.560
In my theater class, a friend of mine wanted to get together a demo reel because she wanted to go to Channel 4 to see if she could get some commercial work for them.
00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:16.080
She put the reel together, or I put the reel together for her.
00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:17.520
She took it in.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:27.039
And Ron Prang, who is the commercial production person there, did not give her a job, but he said, Hey, whoever did your reel, I've got an internship.
00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:27.520
Nice.
00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:28.879
Have call me.
00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:29.759
I called.
00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:30.719
What the heck?
00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:31.599
Why not?
00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:39.039
And during my time as an intern, a part-time job opened up, and Ron recommended me for it.
00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:40.879
And I thought, well, why not?
00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:42.240
And you've been there ever since.
00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:43.280
And I've been there ever since.
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:47.120
So how many years now at MBC for um 39.
00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:49.039
Wow.
00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:56.000
You don't meet too many people that have had a career that spans four decades at the same employer.
00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:57.039
That is correct.
00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:58.879
You are a special person for that.
00:03:59.199 --> 00:03:59.599
Thank you.
00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.439
We've got a handful at the station.
00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:02.719
I'm proud to be one of them.
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:03.439
Nice.
00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:05.039
So let's go back to the beginning.
00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:06.159
It's 2018.
00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:08.800
How did Stuff the Backpack get started?
00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:15.199
Was there a moment or conversation that made you say, quote, we have to do something about this?
00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:17.360
It is not as beautiful as that.
00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.560
I'm sorry.
00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:28.560
The station actually in 2018 was approached by a client who asked if we would consider doing a back-to-school drive.
00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:31.920
They wanted to sponsor something like that in the room.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:40.560
I was the only one sitting there who had been there long enough to remember when the station did use to do backpack drives and back to school drives.
00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:46.160
We hadn't done it in a decade or more.
00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:53.920
And so in discussing it internally, we wanted to make sure that we were making an impact.
00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.839
We didn't know how many, it had been so long.
00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:57.759
We didn't know how many people were going to show up.
00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:00.160
We didn't know what kind of supplies we were going to get.
00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:05.199
What do you do if you've got 150 things donated?
00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:08.480
Who are you going to give it to?
00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:17.279
So I did a little research, found out at that time Columbus City Schools was uh the largest district in the state with the highest need population.
00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:29.839
And I contacted them and uh two of my colleagues and I went down and met with them and and asked if they if they would want to be the recipient of any kind of back-to-school effort that we did.
00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:32.480
It was a really quick yes on their part.
00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:35.439
I I was I was worried they were gonna say no.
00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:41.120
And during the as we were talking now, I said, do you what would you hope for?
00:05:41.439 --> 00:06:00.800
And uh the reply I got was they would love it if every single Columbus City School student started the first day of school with a backpack and the basic essentials a piece of paper, a pen, a pencil, because that was gonna help them succeed.
00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:01.519
Yeah.
00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:02.639
Sorry.
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:07.600
Um and I said, Well, how many students do you have?
00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:08.959
And they said 50,000.
00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.959
I said, Well, that'll be our goal for this year.
00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:12.560
And it was our goal.
00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.360
It was our goal, and we worked with community partners.
00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.959
Uh I'm gonna rewind here in a minute, but worked very hard.
00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:21.680
It was a very crazy summer, and we hit 50,000.
00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:22.720
Wow.
00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:38.079
Um, the rewind on that was after I got back to the station, my first call was to Cheryl Nelson to ask her if United Way would work with us on this.
00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:41.920
Because I did recognize that the station is not a nonprofit.
00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:43.839
We are a business.
00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:51.199
We could not take monetary donations, which I also knew was going to be part of the need for this campaign to succeed.
00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:57.680
And Cheryl met with the folks internally here, and United Way joined immediately.
00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:58.639
That's great.
00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:13.360
So uh that's a great segue in that you know, when people who don't know NBC4's history of community engagement in Columbus, can you give us a sense of the station's role in this community and why a new station would even take something like this on?
00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:14.319
Sure.
00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:27.439
Um NBC4, Channel 4, WCMH, for people who've been in the community, they know by all three of those, um has a longtime commitment to the community.
00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.800
We've done toy drives for over 40 years.
00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:37.920
We are, we have been one of the founding members of the 501c3 that's called Red, White, and Boom.
00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:47.040
And we are one of the longtime people that write the check to put those fireworks on, along with WNCI and GJ Pepsi.
00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:50.720
Uh and a lot of the community doesn't realize that.
00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:57.920
We worked very closely with the Mid Ohio Food Collective on what's become one of their largest fundraising events, W Your Donation Day.
00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.240
These are these are things that we believe in.
00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:06.720
We have a force army when there's a need that is we identify flood relief.
00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:12.240
Um we will put out a call and do fundraisers on a dime, turn it on a dime.
00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:13.120
That's nice.
00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.519
Because it's part of who we are.
00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:23.120
And so this is an all-volunteer initiative, no paid staff running this campaign, and that's really remarkable.
00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:27.920
Uh, what did year one look like and how did people respond?
00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:31.040
Year one was crazy.
00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:40.960
And as I said, to my two colleagues, Josh Combs and Jasmine Logan, we were the three J's of Stuff the Backpack, kind of uh uh working through the station.
00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:45.759
We were accepting donations wherever we could.
00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:54.720
We were order, you know, ordering supplies multiple times that year through night through United Way's help.
00:08:55.519 --> 00:09:01.919
And we didn't really have a location, so we had everything delivered to the station.
00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:02.720
Oh my!
00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:12.879
And we were not really well liked at the time because our hallways were lined with book bags, our studios were lined with book bags.
00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:17.279
I mean, people had to move some boxes sometimes to get towards the bathrooms.
00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:24.320
Um, but we we just kind of made it up as we went along.
00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:26.480
That's always the best way to do it, right?
00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:38.720
Yes, in year two, Columbus City Schools stepped in and helped us, uh, provided us a space to take the take all the donations, organize sorting, and it helped us evolve.
00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:42.639
So you mentioned that right out of the gate, United Way said yes.
00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:45.840
What made you reach out to United Way in the first place?
00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:57.120
At that time, we had done something with United Way recently, and Cheryl was in my contacts, and I just picked up the vine and called her.
00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:57.679
Nice.
00:09:57.840 --> 00:09:58.000
Yeah.
00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:02.480
So eight years later, and 240,000 students.
00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:05.039
Let's talk about the growth of the campaign.
00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:18.879
In 2024, the campaign crossed uh 200,000 backpacks distributed, and by 2025, that number went to 240,000 students served just in the last eight years.
00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:22.559
When you see a number like that, what goes through your mind?
00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.399
I know it's not enough.
00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.879
2018 and 2019, we did a big shift.
00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:40.320
One of the things we recognized in 2018, um, Columbus City schools, some kids were getting two backpacks because they were showing up at school, but then we had a backpack there waiting for them.
00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:50.240
Um so we knew we needed to look at making sure there wasn't duplication because there were still kids who were in need.
00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:55.759
We also had to recognize that we were television stations serving 22 counties in central Ohio.
00:10:56.320 --> 00:11:09.360
And so we wanted to expand because we knew we had a number that we could, some kids had duplication, we could shift those numbers to more districts.
00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:32.320
So again, we went back and looked, looked at, I met with um ESC, the Education Service Center for Ohio for the state of Ohio, and and was able to identify, you know, within Franklin County and Lickin County, we could impact over half of the DMA population in our service area in just those two counties.
00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.519
What's DMA?
00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.960
It's our broadcast area.
00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.080
Oh, okay.
00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:48.879
Um and so we knew that in our 22 counties, just by helping two counties, we were gonna help be able to try and help half of the student population in year two.
00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:55.360
So the campaign now serves school districts in Franklin, Licking, Union, and Fairfield counties.
00:11:56.080 --> 00:12:03.440
Um how did it and how quickly did it expand beyond Columbus City schools and what drove that growth?
00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:12.879
Well, the the drive was that we knew we needed to serve our entire community, the entire NBC 4 community, which was beyond Columbus City schools.
00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:15.039
Year two, we grow grew to two.
00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:22.080
Um and then we wanted to grow again, but 2020 was a little bit of a different year.
00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:24.159
Yeah, let's talk about that.
00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.120
It was.
00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:36.000
Um we couldn't do we couldn't do drive-throughs, we couldn't do get we couldn't have volunteers gathered in a space and organize and sort and stuff.
00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:53.840
Um, so we shifted to definitely more of a financial request from the community, and then uh I was able to work with CAS, um, who is just down the street from the station, who has a very large campus.
00:12:53.919 --> 00:13:00.720
Uh, and for those of you who have been in the community a long time, you may remember it as chemical abstracts.
00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.120
Right.
00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:01.759
Yes.
00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:12.639
I know they allowed me to have my deliveries of 25,000 bags done at their campus.
00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:16.000
I did, I had that year we had to order pre-stuffed bags.
00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:38.080
So um I was able to have them delivered to their campus and I could sort them out and space them out enough so that we the the schools could come in their unit and pick things up and take them safely.
00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:44.240
And so that was how we did uh 2020 and 2021.
00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:48.799
And now you're up to 850 volunteers.
00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:51.759
That's how many people came last year to Nationwide Arena.
00:13:52.000 --> 00:14:00.720
Well, there's the one little secret with that is the 850 volunteers at Nationwide Arena are only a part of the volunteers.
00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.200
Oh.
00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:06.559
Because NBC 4 has its own private stuffing event.
00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:07.279
Okay.
00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:13.919
At Ease Logistics in Union County, where the other half of the bags are stuffed.
00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.279
And how many volunteers are at that site?
00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:22.159
Well, I'm kind of a taskmaster, so probably only have 150.
00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:24.240
Wow, you get a lot done.
00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:24.879
We do.
00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.399
Very efficient machine.
00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.200
Yes.
00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:31.360
But that takes us up to a thousand volunteers.
00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.480
Yeah, that's amazing.
00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:32.799
Yeah.
00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:38.399
So it's a$10 donation that covers one full backpack with supplies.
00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.559
Uh, it's such a compelling ask.
00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:46.240
Many donors opt to donate enough for an entire classroom or$270.
00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:51.679
What have you learned about the generosity of our community over the years through this event?
00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:56.159
Oh my, I will say this, and this goes way back before Stuff the Backpack.
00:14:56.399 --> 00:15:06.000
When I think of the Toy Drives, the W Donation Day, the Ford Army call to action because there's a need, our community gives.
00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:09.919
And I never doubt that they won't give.
00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:16.320
I know that the Columbus Foundation does a benchmarking study every uh couple years.
00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:22.080
And one of the things that they compare our city to about 20 other U.S.
00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:30.559
cities that are comparably sized, and what Columbus always uh shines is the amount of volunteerism that comes from our community.
00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:37.759
And so it's nice to see that consistent thread of volunteerism kind of across the community, and certainly for this event.
00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:42.559
But it's also the corporate partners play a huge role and stuff the backpack.
00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:46.639
Uh, what does that kind of community-wide buy-in feel like?
00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.840
And what does that tell you about the Columbus community?
00:15:50.399 --> 00:16:08.159
It tells me that that on the on the corporate side, on the business side, it very aligned to the mission with MBC4, is that they are part of the community, and and they are giving back to the community and as they support this.
00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:13.440
So let's talk about kind of connecting this campaign to deeper need.
00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:17.440
Uh, let's talk about why this matters beyond the backpack itself.
00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:26.080
We know from the new Alice data that nearly two in five families with young children in Franklin County are living below the ALES threshold.
00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:28.879
They're working but can't afford the basic.
00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:31.600
School supplies are part of that equation.
00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:35.600
How do you think about the families this campaign is reaching?
00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:39.759
I believe every child deserves a good education.
00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:49.440
And I believe that they should not have a stigma attached to their school experience.
00:16:50.080 --> 00:17:00.000
And sitting down without without a piece of paper or pencil in and while other kids have it makes them stand out.
00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.639
Um and I don't want that.
00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:09.039
One other thing about this campaign is that we don't we don't distribute any bags to students directly.
00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.240
Okay.
00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:21.440
The bags go to the the school districts themselves to distribute within their community and the best way they feel worked for their community, their school community.
00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:29.039
And the bags are ordered in multiple colors and and so that there's no stigma bag.
00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.039
Right.
00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:42.319
Meaning that if all the stuff the backpacks were red, then you'd know that that backpack is coming from a yeah, so that when a child walks in the classroom, they don't look and say, Oh, you got a free bag.
00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.680
That's the free bag.
00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:48.160
No, the whole purpose is for every kid to just sit down and be able to start learning.
00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:52.240
So, you know, United Way talks a lot about success by third grade.
00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:58.720
The idea that reading proficiency by third grade is the greatest predictor of whether a child will graduate high school.
00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:08.720
And we know that kids who are hungry, who don't have stable housing, or who don't show up with the tools they need are already behind before the first bell rings.
00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:12.480
How does stuff the backpack connect to that bigger picture for you?
00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:16.720
Well, that it makes sure that they've got those tools before the bell rings.
00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:30.079
Um and for the parents, for the parents to know, oh, I can go get my kids shoes because I know the school's gonna have a bag waiting for them.
00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:38.160
Or I can pack their lunch because I want to pack their lunch on the first day because I know when they get to school, the school has a bag for them.
00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.240
Um, it's a relief.
00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:42.799
And honestly, it's a relief for the teachers too.
00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:45.200
Our teachers pay out of pocket for so much.
00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:54.799
Yeah, I always hear those stories of teachers having to, you know, go to discount stores and buy things in bulk themselves in order to make sure kids have that equipped.
00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:57.599
So this is a real stress reliever for the teachers.
00:18:57.839 --> 00:19:04.400
And it's also a stress reliever in that that child who has the tools to be engaged won't be disruptive.
00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:06.000
They've got what they need.
00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:12.880
And they don't have to, they may not act out in the classroom, they're they're set to go with just like every other student.
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:22.559
Well, I got to tell you, just as a volunteer myself and stuffing the backpacks, I get excited about school just thinking about all the fun stuff that goes into a backpack.
00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:22.880
Yes.
00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.000
Not that I want to relive my early years in education.
00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:30.160
I'm just saying that it's it's nice to have a backpack full of supplies.
00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:36.880
And so, you know, there is something about a child showing up on the first day with a full backpack, the dignity of it.
00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:47.200
Uh, can you talk about what that means for kids and what have you heard from teachers or families over the years uh about what it actually does for a student?
00:19:47.680 --> 00:20:08.880
Everything I've heard, and and because I have no direct contact with the families, uh, everything is through the districts, is just gratitude for taking the time, taking the effort, having the interest in supporting the schools and supporting the students and supporting the teachers.
00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:16.720
You know, we talk a lot uh with guests on this show uh about the growth of the city.
00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:20.799
I mean, it's uh clearly it's an exciting time to be in Columbus.
00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:24.960
Uh, but that growth comes with unintended consequences.
00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:40.079
When that growth really isn't reaching everybody, I mean, I think the the other interesting thing is that for years a lot of people thought poverty and economic vulnerability was really just in Columbus, but that's really changed.
00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.799
It's moved across the metropolitan region.
00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:52.559
Um, how do you see campaigns like this fitting into that bigger story about what kind of city we want to be or should be?
00:20:53.200 --> 00:21:02.079
My first thought as you start as you were asking was is that concept that we do need to all keep our eyes open and recognize need is everywhere.
00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.359
And we shouldn't ignore it.
00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:14.559
Um and we need to look into what we can do to help with that, which is again stuff the backpack for me.
00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:18.480
As I think so much about the work the Mid Ohio Food Collective does too.
00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:21.839
It's it's another example of need is everywhere.
00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:25.359
Um and you don't know.
00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:33.920
You don't know the person sitting, the need of the person sitting next to you or the person that you pass as you're walking up the street.
00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:40.000
Hopefully they're not too proud to accept help.
00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.400
What keeps you motivated?
00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:46.000
Because this is not a small thing you're doing on the side.
00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:50.000
This is a campaign you've been building and growing year after year.
00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.759
I think I'm just crazy.
00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:54.079
In a good way.
00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:59.599
Uh quite honestly, you can talk to anyone who I've I've hired because my staff gets assigned some.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.119
Work for this.
00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:09.359
And I explained to them there are things that you're going to do when you work for me that are not typical TV jobs.
00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.960
And you're correct.
00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:19.200
Josh and Jasmine and I would frequently talk about we are running a quasi-nonprofit at the station.
00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.680
But I just believe in it.
00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:24.079
And so I want to make sure it happens.
00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:29.920
What's the moment from this campaign or any year that you carry with you?
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:36.480
A story, a face, something someone has said to you that sticks with you.
00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:41.200
Like you talked about the excitement that you got when with stuffing at your events.
00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:54.079
And they look forward, it's just how much they look forward to it.
00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.079
Obviously, I'm they're they're doing it.
00:22:57.680 --> 00:23:07.279
But just the enjoyment that everyone has when they're in that community doing that work together is really impactful.
00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:19.759
So I get to be on the floor of Nationwide Arena stuffing backpacks, and that just in and of itself is exciting because not too many people get to walk on the floor of Nationwide Arena.
00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:23.440
So there's a lot of excitement just that day.
00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:27.200
People are in good spirits, it's very kind of upbeat.
00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:36.240
You have a different experience where you're in a warehouse, but you stuff an incredible number of backpacks in a relatively short period of time.
00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.160
How do you get that all done?
00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:40.079
A lot of energy.
00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:55.039
And I take that into our stuffing event.
00:23:55.359 --> 00:24:23.599
And we have had through the years, we have had high school soccer teams, we have had the um fire cadets, we have had um just different or the organizations, the companies who uh support the CAS, uh, Amgen, bring their folks and we line them up and it's an assembly line, and it's like a competition who can get done first.
00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.319
I love that.
00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:30.720
And we go to town, and it is everyone just dives in and it is amazing.
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.920
It's amazing to watch.
00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:40.799
And that's when I said, you know, those are some of the moments when I just step back and I see all these people, and we're just going and going and going, and the piles are just dwindling.
00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:44.079
And we're we've got stuffed backpacks.
00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:50.400
So, what would you want people in Columbus to understand about the families who receive these backpacks?
00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:53.440
What's the message you wish more people heard?
00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:58.319
This child deserves an equal start on the first day of school.
00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.119
Yeah.
00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:03.119
And then now let's talk about uh ways to get involved.
00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:07.279
Let's make sure everyone listening knows exactly how they can help.
00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:11.920
What are the ways our listeners can support stuff the backpack?
00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:23.039
You can donate$10, which covers one child's full backpack and supplies, and$270 covers a full classroom.
00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:25.920
Uh do you want to send people to the website?
00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:28.160
Yep, sure, nbc4i.com.
00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:32.640
And if you want to do more than that, we are happy to accept it.
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:36.240
Uh is there any special place on the website?
00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:40.880
nbc4i.com under the local free drop down, you will see stuff the backpack.
00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.279
Okay.
00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:46.160
And folks can also go to liveunited centralohio.org.
00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:54.240
In addition to United Way of Central Ohio and MBC4, there's a lot of other sponsors that make sure this event happens.
00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.400
Who are some of those other sponsors?
00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:59.279
We have phenomenal support from our community.
00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:29.519
Um, it starts with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, CAS, Amgen, Amazon, Polaris Fashion Mall, Giant Eagle, Hexion, Honda of America, the Olivia Clare O'Brocta Foundation, Bailey Cavalleri, JP Morgan Chase, Coda, GBQ, Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL CIO, UPIC, BESA, Ease Logistics, Nationwide Arena, UPS, and of course Grange Insurance.
00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.119
Wow, that's a lot of corporate.
00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.319
It's amazing.
00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.519
It's amazing.
00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:35.039
Well, it's a big event.
00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:48.319
And if folks would like to sign up to be a volunteer, they could go to bessa.org, that's B-E-S-A.org to sign up to be a volunteer for the actual event on August 4th.
00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:57.519
The other thing, if there's anyone listening out there who has a business who would like to support, we would love to hear from you.
00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:02.960
Um you can email me at j-k-i-s-er at wcmh.com.
00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.480
I would love to speak with you.
00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:13.759
When you think about the fact that it's just ten dollars to fill a backpack, that's the cost of a you know special latte these days.
00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:19.680
Uh but if you'd like to donate, uh you can go to live united centralohio.org.
00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:22.960
And Jen, how would they find out NBC?
00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:30.400
Um, folks can also go to nbc4i.com and under the local for you drop down, you will see stuff the backpack.
00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:38.079
Um what would you say to someone who thinks it's just a backpack, it's a small thing.
00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:43.599
What would you want them to understand about what this backpack actually means?
00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:46.640
I would go back to what we've talked about before.
00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:54.079
It means a child being set to be engaged in their learning experience from day one.
00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.079
Nice.
00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:58.799
And it sets the child up for success.
00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:09.440
So if there's something Jen said that I want everyone to carry with them, it's just a backpack until it isn't.
00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:21.839
Until it's the reason a child walks into the classroom feeling like they belong, like they have what it takes, like someone out there was thinking about them before they even knew their name.
00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:28.079
That's what 240,000 students and counting have felt because of this campaign.
00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:37.279
And it happened because one person at a TV station decided to do something about it, and an entire city decided to show up.
00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.720
So thank you, Jen.
00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.359
Thank you.
00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:42.880
Can I add though, I it's not one person.
00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:45.920
Well, I want to give you some credit.
00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:55.119
And I appreciate that, but it really is it's a mission of a whole group of people, and it would not be successful without everybody.
00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:57.119
I I appreciate that.
00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.880
Uh sharing of the credit.
00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:07.759
But, you know, this is what United Way of Central Ohio believes in that when we come together, we can change what's possible for families in this community.
00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:13.200
Stuff the backpack is one of the most visible examples of that belief in action.
00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:21.519
So, Jen, thank you for reminding all of us what it looks like when Columbus decides a kid should never have to show up unprepared.
00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:26.000
And to everyone listening, you can be a backpack hero as well.
00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:38.079
Again, go to nbc4i.com or liveunited centralohio.org to donate, volunteer, or get your organization involved.
00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:42.160
If this episode made you want to act, act.
00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:45.119
Share it, donate, show up.
00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:50.559
Until next time, remember there's not a problem Columbus can't fix.
00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:04.639
Yeah, I'm eating Mike and Ikees, which is a big supporter of United Way.
00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:06.080
I love Mike and Ike.
00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:06.480
Do you?
00:00:06.639 --> 00:00:07.759
Do you also like hot tamales?
00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:08.800
Yes.
00:00:09.039 --> 00:00:10.240
What about peeps?
00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:11.279
No.
00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:19.039
Peeps, Mike and Ikees, and Hot Tamales are all made by the same company based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:20.800
I think I knew the Bethlehem part.
00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.719
My husband, though, is a big Peeps fan.
00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:23.839
He does not like the other two.
00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:26.960
So between the two of us, then you've got the trifecta in the house.
00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:28.239
You've got the company covered.
00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:28.559
Yes.
00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:29.120
Yeah.
00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:31.839
Welcome back to So Let's Talk Columbus.
00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:37.039
I'm Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio.
00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:39.200
Here's something I want you to think about.
00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:46.399
That first day of school, the new backpack, the fresh set of crayons, the nerves, and the excitement.
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.799
For a lot of kids in Central Ohio, that first day looks a little different.
00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:53.520
They show up without the supplies on the list.
00:00:53.679 --> 00:01:02.079
And when a child doesn't have what they need, it doesn't just affect their first day, it affects their confidence, focus, and ability to learn.
00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:03.759
Here's why that matters.
00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:11.120
Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is the single greatest predictor of whether a child will graduate from high school.
00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:16.879
Students not reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out.
00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:20.640
That's not just a school problem, that's a community problem.
00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:30.159
We also know from the new Alice data that nearly two out of five families with young children in Central Ohio are living paycheck to paycheck.
00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:40.719
They're working and doing everything right, but when the cost of BASIC keeps outpacing wages, a backpack in school supplies can genuinely be out of reach.
00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:45.840
That's exactly the gap that's today's guest set out to fill.
00:01:46.159 --> 00:02:08.879
Jen Kaiser is the Director of Operations at NBC4WCMH, and she is the heart and engine behind Stuff the Backpack, a campaign she built from scratch that has now equipped more than 240,000 students with what they need to show up ready to learn, driven entirely by volunteers every single year.
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:19.199
United Wave of Central Ohio is proud to be a co-sponsor, and this year we're hosting our stuffing event at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, August 4th.
00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:27.199
And our goal is to surpass last year's 850 volunteers who stuffed over 10,000 backpacks.
00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:30.800
Jen, welcome to So Let's Talk Columbus.
00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:31.919
Thanks for having me.
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:39.840
Jen, before we get into all things stuff the backpack, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up at NBC 4.
00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.719
Oh my, that was a while ago.
00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:59.840
Um I was a student at Ohio State and um had just been accepted into the School of Medical Communications and was also uh trying to achieve a theater minor.
00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:01.599
That's an interesting combination.
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:03.599
It is an interesting combination.
00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:12.560
In my theater class, a friend of mine wanted to get together a demo reel because she wanted to go to Channel 4 to see if she could get some commercial work for them.
00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:16.080
She put the reel together, or I put the reel together for her.
00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:17.520
She took it in.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:27.039
And Ron Prang, who is the commercial production person there, did not give her a job, but he said, Hey, whoever did your reel, I've got an internship.
00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:27.520
Nice.
00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:28.879
Have call me.
00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:29.759
I called.
00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:30.719
What the heck?
00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:31.599
Why not?
00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:39.039
And during my time as an intern, a part-time job opened up, and Ron recommended me for it.
00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:40.879
And I thought, well, why not?
00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:42.240
And you've been there ever since.
00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:43.280
And I've been there ever since.
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:47.120
So how many years now at MBC for um 39.
00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:49.039
Wow.
00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:56.000
You don't meet too many people that have had a career that spans four decades at the same employer.
00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:57.039
That is correct.
00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:58.879
You are a special person for that.
00:03:59.199 --> 00:03:59.599
Thank you.
00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.439
We've got a handful at the station.
00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:02.719
I'm proud to be one of them.
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:03.439
Nice.
00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:05.039
So let's go back to the beginning.
00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:06.159
It's 2018.
00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:08.800
How did Stuff the Backpack get started?
00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:15.199
Was there a moment or conversation that made you say, quote, we have to do something about this?
00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:17.360
It is not as beautiful as that.
00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.560
I'm sorry.
00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:28.560
The station actually in 2018 was approached by a client who asked if we would consider doing a back-to-school drive.
00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:31.920
They wanted to sponsor something like that in the room.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:40.560
I was the only one sitting there who had been there long enough to remember when the station did use to do backpack drives and back to school drives.
00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:46.160
We hadn't done it in a decade or more.
00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:53.920
And so in discussing it internally, we wanted to make sure that we were making an impact.
00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.839
We didn't know how many, it had been so long.
00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:57.759
We didn't know how many people were going to show up.
00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:00.160
We didn't know what kind of supplies we were going to get.
00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:05.199
What do you do if you've got 150 things donated?
00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:08.480
Who are you going to give it to?
00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:17.279
So I did a little research, found out at that time Columbus City Schools was uh the largest district in the state with the highest need population.
00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:29.839
And I contacted them and uh two of my colleagues and I went down and met with them and and asked if they if they would want to be the recipient of any kind of back-to-school effort that we did.
00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:32.480
It was a really quick yes on their part.
00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:35.439
I I was I was worried they were gonna say no.
00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:41.120
And during the as we were talking now, I said, do you what would you hope for?
00:05:41.439 --> 00:06:00.800
And uh the reply I got was they would love it if every single Columbus City School student started the first day of school with a backpack and the basic essentials a piece of paper, a pen, a pencil, because that was gonna help them succeed.
00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:01.519
Yeah.
00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:02.639
Sorry.
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:07.600
Um and I said, Well, how many students do you have?
00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:08.959
And they said 50,000.
00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.959
I said, Well, that'll be our goal for this year.
00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:12.560
And it was our goal.
00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.360
It was our goal, and we worked with community partners.
00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.959
Uh I'm gonna rewind here in a minute, but worked very hard.
00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:21.680
It was a very crazy summer, and we hit 50,000.
00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:22.720
Wow.
00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:38.079
Um, the rewind on that was after I got back to the station, my first call was to Cheryl Nelson to ask her if United Way would work with us on this.
00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:41.920
Because I did recognize that the station is not a nonprofit.
00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:43.839
We are a business.
00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:51.199
We could not take monetary donations, which I also knew was going to be part of the need for this campaign to succeed.
00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:57.680
And Cheryl met with the folks internally here, and United Way joined immediately.
00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:58.639
That's great.
00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:13.360
So uh that's a great segue in that you know, when people who don't know NBC4's history of community engagement in Columbus, can you give us a sense of the station's role in this community and why a new station would even take something like this on?
00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:14.319
Sure.
00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:27.439
Um NBC4, Channel 4, WCMH, for people who've been in the community, they know by all three of those, um has a longtime commitment to the community.
00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.800
We've done toy drives for over 40 years.
00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:37.920
We are, we have been one of the founding members of the 501c3 that's called Red, White, and Boom.
00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:47.040
And we are one of the longtime people that write the check to put those fireworks on, along with WNCI and GJ Pepsi.
00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:50.720
Uh and a lot of the community doesn't realize that.
00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:57.920
We worked very closely with the Mid Ohio Food Collective on what's become one of their largest fundraising events, W Your Donation Day.
00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.240
These are these are things that we believe in.
00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:06.720
We have a force army when there's a need that is we identify flood relief.
00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:12.240
Um we will put out a call and do fundraisers on a dime, turn it on a dime.
00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:13.120
That's nice.
00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.519
Because it's part of who we are.
00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:23.120
And so this is an all-volunteer initiative, no paid staff running this campaign, and that's really remarkable.
00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:27.920
Uh, what did year one look like and how did people respond?
00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:31.040
Year one was crazy.
00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:40.960
And as I said, to my two colleagues, Josh Combs and Jasmine Logan, we were the three J's of Stuff the Backpack, kind of uh uh working through the station.
00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:45.759
We were accepting donations wherever we could.
00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:54.720
We were order, you know, ordering supplies multiple times that year through night through United Way's help.
00:08:55.519 --> 00:09:01.919
And we didn't really have a location, so we had everything delivered to the station.
00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:02.720
Oh my!
00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:12.879
And we were not really well liked at the time because our hallways were lined with book bags, our studios were lined with book bags.
00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:17.279
I mean, people had to move some boxes sometimes to get towards the bathrooms.
00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:24.320
Um, but we we just kind of made it up as we went along.
00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:26.480
That's always the best way to do it, right?
00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:38.720
Yes, in year two, Columbus City Schools stepped in and helped us, uh, provided us a space to take the take all the donations, organize sorting, and it helped us evolve.
00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:42.639
So you mentioned that right out of the gate, United Way said yes.
00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:45.840
What made you reach out to United Way in the first place?
00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:57.120
At that time, we had done something with United Way recently, and Cheryl was in my contacts, and I just picked up the vine and called her.
00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:57.679
Nice.
00:09:57.840 --> 00:09:58.000
Yeah.
00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:02.480
So eight years later, and 240,000 students.
00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:05.039
Let's talk about the growth of the campaign.
00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:18.879
In 2024, the campaign crossed uh 200,000 backpacks distributed, and by 2025, that number went to 240,000 students served just in the last eight years.
00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:22.559
When you see a number like that, what goes through your mind?
00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.399
I know it's not enough.
00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.879
2018 and 2019, we did a big shift.
00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:40.320
One of the things we recognized in 2018, um, Columbus City schools, some kids were getting two backpacks because they were showing up at school, but then we had a backpack there waiting for them.
00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:50.240
Um so we knew we needed to look at making sure there wasn't duplication because there were still kids who were in need.
00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:55.759
We also had to recognize that we were television stations serving 22 counties in central Ohio.
00:10:56.320 --> 00:11:09.360
And so we wanted to expand because we knew we had a number that we could, some kids had duplication, we could shift those numbers to more districts.
00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:32.320
So again, we went back and looked, looked at, I met with um ESC, the Education Service Center for Ohio for the state of Ohio, and and was able to identify, you know, within Franklin County and Lickin County, we could impact over half of the DMA population in our service area in just those two counties.
00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.519
What's DMA?
00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.960
It's our broadcast area.
00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.080
Oh, okay.
00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:48.879
Um and so we knew that in our 22 counties, just by helping two counties, we were gonna help be able to try and help half of the student population in year two.
00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:55.360
So the campaign now serves school districts in Franklin, Licking, Union, and Fairfield counties.
00:11:56.080 --> 00:12:03.440
Um how did it and how quickly did it expand beyond Columbus City schools and what drove that growth?
00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:12.879
Well, the the drive was that we knew we needed to serve our entire community, the entire NBC 4 community, which was beyond Columbus City schools.
00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:15.039
Year two, we grow grew to two.
00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:22.080
Um and then we wanted to grow again, but 2020 was a little bit of a different year.
00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:24.159
Yeah, let's talk about that.
00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.120
It was.
00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:36.000
Um we couldn't do we couldn't do drive-throughs, we couldn't do get we couldn't have volunteers gathered in a space and organize and sort and stuff.
00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:53.840
Um, so we shifted to definitely more of a financial request from the community, and then uh I was able to work with CAS, um, who is just down the street from the station, who has a very large campus.
00:12:53.919 --> 00:13:00.720
Uh, and for those of you who have been in the community a long time, you may remember it as chemical abstracts.
00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.120
Right.
00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:01.759
Yes.
00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:12.639
I know they allowed me to have my deliveries of 25,000 bags done at their campus.
00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:16.000
I did, I had that year we had to order pre-stuffed bags.
00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:38.080
So um I was able to have them delivered to their campus and I could sort them out and space them out enough so that we the the schools could come in their unit and pick things up and take them safely.
00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:44.240
And so that was how we did uh 2020 and 2021.
00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:48.799
And now you're up to 850 volunteers.
00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:51.759
That's how many people came last year to Nationwide Arena.
00:13:52.000 --> 00:14:00.720
Well, there's the one little secret with that is the 850 volunteers at Nationwide Arena are only a part of the volunteers.
00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.200
Oh.
00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:06.559
Because NBC 4 has its own private stuffing event.
00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:07.279
Okay.
00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:13.919
At Ease Logistics in Union County, where the other half of the bags are stuffed.
00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.279
And how many volunteers are at that site?
00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:22.159
Well, I'm kind of a taskmaster, so probably only have 150.
00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:24.240
Wow, you get a lot done.
00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:24.879
We do.
00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.399
Very efficient machine.
00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.200
Yes.
00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:31.360
But that takes us up to a thousand volunteers.
00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.480
Yeah, that's amazing.
00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:32.799
Yeah.
00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:38.399
So it's a$10 donation that covers one full backpack with supplies.
00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.559
Uh, it's such a compelling ask.
00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:46.240
Many donors opt to donate enough for an entire classroom or$270.
00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:51.679
What have you learned about the generosity of our community over the years through this event?
00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:56.159
Oh my, I will say this, and this goes way back before Stuff the Backpack.
00:14:56.399 --> 00:15:06.000
When I think of the Toy Drives, the W Donation Day, the Ford Army call to action because there's a need, our community gives.
00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:09.919
And I never doubt that they won't give.
00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:16.320
I know that the Columbus Foundation does a benchmarking study every uh couple years.
00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:22.080
And one of the things that they compare our city to about 20 other U.S.
00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:30.559
cities that are comparably sized, and what Columbus always uh shines is the amount of volunteerism that comes from our community.
00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:37.759
And so it's nice to see that consistent thread of volunteerism kind of across the community, and certainly for this event.
00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:42.559
But it's also the corporate partners play a huge role and stuff the backpack.
00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:46.639
Uh, what does that kind of community-wide buy-in feel like?
00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.840
And what does that tell you about the Columbus community?
00:15:50.399 --> 00:16:08.159
It tells me that that on the on the corporate side, on the business side, it very aligned to the mission with MBC4, is that they are part of the community, and and they are giving back to the community and as they support this.
00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:13.440
So let's talk about kind of connecting this campaign to deeper need.
00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:17.440
Uh, let's talk about why this matters beyond the backpack itself.
00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:26.080
We know from the new Alice data that nearly two in five families with young children in Franklin County are living below the ALES threshold.
00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:28.879
They're working but can't afford the basic.
00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:31.600
School supplies are part of that equation.
00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:35.600
How do you think about the families this campaign is reaching?
00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:39.759
I believe every child deserves a good education.
00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:49.440
And I believe that they should not have a stigma attached to their school experience.
00:16:50.080 --> 00:17:00.000
And sitting down without without a piece of paper or pencil in and while other kids have it makes them stand out.
00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.639
Um and I don't want that.
00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:09.039
One other thing about this campaign is that we don't we don't distribute any bags to students directly.
00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.240
Okay.
00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:21.440
The bags go to the the school districts themselves to distribute within their community and the best way they feel worked for their community, their school community.
00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:29.039
And the bags are ordered in multiple colors and and so that there's no stigma bag.
00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.039
Right.
00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:42.319
Meaning that if all the stuff the backpacks were red, then you'd know that that backpack is coming from a yeah, so that when a child walks in the classroom, they don't look and say, Oh, you got a free bag.
00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.680
That's the free bag.
00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:48.160
No, the whole purpose is for every kid to just sit down and be able to start learning.
00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:52.240
So, you know, United Way talks a lot about success by third grade.
00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:58.720
The idea that reading proficiency by third grade is the greatest predictor of whether a child will graduate high school.
00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:08.720
And we know that kids who are hungry, who don't have stable housing, or who don't show up with the tools they need are already behind before the first bell rings.
00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:12.480
How does stuff the backpack connect to that bigger picture for you?
00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:16.720
Well, that it makes sure that they've got those tools before the bell rings.
00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:30.079
Um and for the parents, for the parents to know, oh, I can go get my kids shoes because I know the school's gonna have a bag waiting for them.
00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:38.160
Or I can pack their lunch because I want to pack their lunch on the first day because I know when they get to school, the school has a bag for them.
00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.240
Um, it's a relief.
00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:42.799
And honestly, it's a relief for the teachers too.
00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:45.200
Our teachers pay out of pocket for so much.
00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:54.799
Yeah, I always hear those stories of teachers having to, you know, go to discount stores and buy things in bulk themselves in order to make sure kids have that equipped.
00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:57.599
So this is a real stress reliever for the teachers.
00:18:57.839 --> 00:19:04.400
And it's also a stress reliever in that that child who has the tools to be engaged won't be disruptive.
00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:06.000
They've got what they need.
00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:12.880
And they don't have to, they may not act out in the classroom, they're they're set to go with just like every other student.
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:22.559
Well, I got to tell you, just as a volunteer myself and stuffing the backpacks, I get excited about school just thinking about all the fun stuff that goes into a backpack.
00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:22.880
Yes.
00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.000
Not that I want to relive my early years in education.
00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:30.160
I'm just saying that it's it's nice to have a backpack full of supplies.
00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:36.880
And so, you know, there is something about a child showing up on the first day with a full backpack, the dignity of it.
00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:47.200
Uh, can you talk about what that means for kids and what have you heard from teachers or families over the years uh about what it actually does for a student?
00:19:47.680 --> 00:20:08.880
Everything I've heard, and and because I have no direct contact with the families, uh, everything is through the districts, is just gratitude for taking the time, taking the effort, having the interest in supporting the schools and supporting the students and supporting the teachers.
00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:16.720
You know, we talk a lot uh with guests on this show uh about the growth of the city.
00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:20.799
I mean, it's uh clearly it's an exciting time to be in Columbus.
00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:24.960
Uh, but that growth comes with unintended consequences.
00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:40.079
When that growth really isn't reaching everybody, I mean, I think the the other interesting thing is that for years a lot of people thought poverty and economic vulnerability was really just in Columbus, but that's really changed.
00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.799
It's moved across the metropolitan region.
00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:52.559
Um, how do you see campaigns like this fitting into that bigger story about what kind of city we want to be or should be?
00:20:53.200 --> 00:21:02.079
My first thought as you start as you were asking was is that concept that we do need to all keep our eyes open and recognize need is everywhere.
00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.359
And we shouldn't ignore it.
00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:14.559
Um and we need to look into what we can do to help with that, which is again stuff the backpack for me.
00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:18.480
As I think so much about the work the Mid Ohio Food Collective does too.
00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:21.839
It's it's another example of need is everywhere.
00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:25.359
Um and you don't know.
00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:33.920
You don't know the person sitting, the need of the person sitting next to you or the person that you pass as you're walking up the street.
00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:40.000
Hopefully they're not too proud to accept help.
00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.400
What keeps you motivated?
00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:46.000
Because this is not a small thing you're doing on the side.
00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:50.000
This is a campaign you've been building and growing year after year.
00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.759
I think I'm just crazy.
00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:54.079
In a good way.
00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:59.599
Uh quite honestly, you can talk to anyone who I've I've hired because my staff gets assigned some.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.119
Work for this.
00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:09.359
And I explained to them there are things that you're going to do when you work for me that are not typical TV jobs.
00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.960
And you're correct.
00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:19.200
Josh and Jasmine and I would frequently talk about we are running a quasi-nonprofit at the station.
00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.680
But I just believe in it.
00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:24.079
And so I want to make sure it happens.
00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:29.920
What's the moment from this campaign or any year that you carry with you?
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:36.480
A story, a face, something someone has said to you that sticks with you.
00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:41.200
Like you talked about the excitement that you got when with stuffing at your events.
00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:54.079
And they look forward, it's just how much they look forward to it.
00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.079
Obviously, I'm they're they're doing it.
00:22:57.680 --> 00:23:07.279
But just the enjoyment that everyone has when they're in that community doing that work together is really impactful.
00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:19.759
So I get to be on the floor of Nationwide Arena stuffing backpacks, and that just in and of itself is exciting because not too many people get to walk on the floor of Nationwide Arena.
00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:23.440
So there's a lot of excitement just that day.
00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:27.200
People are in good spirits, it's very kind of upbeat.
00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:36.240
You have a different experience where you're in a warehouse, but you stuff an incredible number of backpacks in a relatively short period of time.
00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.160
How do you get that all done?
00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:40.079
A lot of energy.
00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:55.039
And I take that into our stuffing event.
00:23:55.359 --> 00:24:23.599
And we have had through the years, we have had high school soccer teams, we have had the um fire cadets, we have had um just different or the organizations, the companies who uh support the CAS, uh, Amgen, bring their folks and we line them up and it's an assembly line, and it's like a competition who can get done first.
00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.319
I love that.
00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:30.720
And we go to town, and it is everyone just dives in and it is amazing.
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.920
It's amazing to watch.
00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:40.799
And that's when I said, you know, those are some of the moments when I just step back and I see all these people, and we're just going and going and going, and the piles are just dwindling.
00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:44.079
And we're we've got stuffed backpacks.
00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:50.400
So, what would you want people in Columbus to understand about the families who receive these backpacks?
00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:53.440
What's the message you wish more people heard?
00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:58.319
This child deserves an equal start on the first day of school.
00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.119
Yeah.
00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:03.119
And then now let's talk about uh ways to get involved.
00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:07.279
Let's make sure everyone listening knows exactly how they can help.
00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:11.920
What are the ways our listeners can support stuff the backpack?
00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:23.039
You can donate$10, which covers one child's full backpack and supplies, and$270 covers a full classroom.
00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:25.920
Uh do you want to send people to the website?
00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:28.160
Yep, sure, nbc4i.com.
00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:32.640
And if you want to do more than that, we are happy to accept it.
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:36.240
Uh is there any special place on the website?
00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:40.880
nbc4i.com under the local free drop down, you will see stuff the backpack.
00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.279
Okay.
00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:46.160
And folks can also go to liveunited centralohio.org.
00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:54.240
In addition to United Way of Central Ohio and MBC4, there's a lot of other sponsors that make sure this event happens.
00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.400
Who are some of those other sponsors?
00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:59.279
We have phenomenal support from our community.
00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:29.519
Um, it starts with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, CAS, Amgen, Amazon, Polaris Fashion Mall, Giant Eagle, Hexion, Honda of America, the Olivia Clare O'Brocta Foundation, Bailey Cavalleri, JP Morgan Chase, Coda, GBQ, Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL CIO, UPIC, BESA, Ease Logistics, Nationwide Arena, UPS, and of course Grange Insurance.
00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.119
Wow, that's a lot of corporate.
00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.319
It's amazing.
00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.519
It's amazing.
00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:35.039
Well, it's a big event.
00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:48.319
And if folks would like to sign up to be a volunteer, they could go to bessa.org, that's B-E-S-A.org to sign up to be a volunteer for the actual event on August 4th.
00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:57.519
The other thing, if there's anyone listening out there who has a business who would like to support, we would love to hear from you.
00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:02.960
Um you can email me at j-k-i-s-er at wcmh.com.
00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.480
I would love to speak with you.
00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:13.759
When you think about the fact that it's just ten dollars to fill a backpack, that's the cost of a you know special latte these days.
00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:19.680
Uh but if you'd like to donate, uh you can go to live united centralohio.org.
00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:22.960
And Jen, how would they find out NBC?
00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:30.400
Um, folks can also go to nbc4i.com and under the local for you drop down, you will see stuff the backpack.
00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:38.079
Um what would you say to someone who thinks it's just a backpack, it's a small thing.
00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:43.599
What would you want them to understand about what this backpack actually means?
00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:46.640
I would go back to what we've talked about before.
00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:54.079
It means a child being set to be engaged in their learning experience from day one.
00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.079
Nice.
00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:58.799
And it sets the child up for success.
00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:09.440
So if there's something Jen said that I want everyone to carry with them, it's just a backpack until it isn't.
00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:21.839
Until it's the reason a child walks into the classroom feeling like they belong, like they have what it takes, like someone out there was thinking about them before they even knew their name.
00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:28.079
That's what 240,000 students and counting have felt because of this campaign.
00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:37.279
And it happened because one person at a TV station decided to do something about it, and an entire city decided to show up.
00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.720
So thank you, Jen.
00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.359
Thank you.
00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:42.880
Can I add though, I it's not one person.
00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:45.920
Well, I want to give you some credit.
00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:55.119
And I appreciate that, but it really is it's a mission of a whole group of people, and it would not be successful without everybody.
00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:57.119
I I appreciate that.
00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.880
Uh sharing of the credit.
00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:07.759
But, you know, this is what United Way of Central Ohio believes in that when we come together, we can change what's possible for families in this community.
00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:13.200
Stuff the backpack is one of the most visible examples of that belief in action.
00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:21.519
So, Jen, thank you for reminding all of us what it looks like when Columbus decides a kid should never have to show up unprepared.
00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:26.000
And to everyone listening, you can be a backpack hero as well.
00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:38.079
Again, go to nbc4i.com or liveunited centralohio.org to donate, volunteer, or get your organization involved.
00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:42.160
If this episode made you want to act, act.
00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:45.119
Share it, donate, show up.
00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:50.559
Until next time, remember there's not a problem Columbus can't fix.
