Wiley Middle School Registrar Karen Faulkner won $10,000 for her organization, Student Charities, from the RecognizeGood Say Thanks Austin Campaign, Friday, Feb. 20.

“I was happy and excited as now we have funding for the LISD Backpack Program,” Faulkner said. “The money will purchase food to fill the 300 bags we send out each week.”

Student Charities received 90,000 votes, more than half of the total number of votes for the Say Thanks Austin Campaign. In August, Student Charities won the RecognizeGood Legend award of $1000.

“Some students don’t have food over the weekend,” Faulkner said. “We try to help with a small bag of food.”

While they seem similar, Student Charities and the Backpack Program are different entities. Student Charities gets food for needy families, while the Backpack Program delivers the food. RHS students help prepare food bags for Bagdad Elementary.

“Mrs. McDaniel’s class at Rouse, helps us by sorting, packing and delivering food bags,” Faulkner said. “We couldn’t run the program without the help of amazing volunteers.”