Katelyn Umholtz | The Valdosta Daily TimesGeorgia Power showed up at the Valdosta City Schools central office to donate more than 100 backpacks with school supplies. 

VALDOSTA — Georgia Power has given away more than 200 backpacks to Lowndes County and Valdosta City Schools in an effort to improve education.

The bookbags were delivered by Georgia Power employees and volunteers to county schools Aug. 24 and city schools Aug. 31.

Each backpack contained basic necessities — pencils, paper and crayons, said Audrey King, Georgia Power regional director.

“Education is one of our major initiatives at Georgia Power,” King said. “What we’re wanting to do is make a contribution to develop the students so that they’re ready for the workforce.”

The program is called Purposity — purpose through generosity — and Georgia Power has been donating backpacks to school systems across the state.

The Georgia Power crew showed up bright and early at 8:15 a.m. to drop off more than 100 backpacks to city schools.

Scarlet Brown, assistant city school superintendent, said the school system is happy to accept the donation, especially since its students have a need for backpacks and school supplies.

“It’s wonderful, and it’s definitely a need,” Brown said. “We constantly have new students coming into our district, so it’s a great way when a student arrives that we’re able to provide a backpack.”

The school system’s social workers were present during the backpack delivery, and Brown said they will work with schools to figure out who needs the supplies.

She said students, parents or teachers can address counselors if they are in need to school supplies.

“We have a great network there of support in really making sure that we have a way to identify the students in such a way that it’s not stigmatizing,” Brown said.

The backpacks were donated by Georgia Power with the help of volunteers and employees.

Though Georgia Power has had partnerships with area schools for some time now, Purposity is a new program that rolled out this year, King said.

Through the new program, King said she hopes to work with the school systems even more through impactful initiatives.

“Wes Taylor and Dr. (Todd) Cason have been very supportive of what we’re doing,” King said. “We’re so thankful for the great partnership that we have in the community.”

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.