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Coke and Giant Food volunteers stuff 500 backpacks for Latino youth in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum
Giant Food and Coca-Cola Consolidated volunteers filled 500 snack packs with non-perishable food for the Latin American Youth Center in D.C., Aug. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dozens of volunteers stuffed 500 backpacks with food for local Latino youths at the Coca-Cola Consolidated facility (5401 Seminary Road) in Alexandria’s West End this morning.

Volunteers from Coke and Giant Food filled the bags with drinks, Rice Krispies Treats, Ritz crackers, apple sauce, cereal and more.

Wayne Tyree, a community relations manager for Coca-Cola Consolidated, said that the company conducts four of these events for area school systems throughout the year.

“Think about who’s going to receive the backpacks,” Tyree told the volunteers in a pep talk. “It will take us 15 minutes, maybe 20 minutes and then we’ll all be on our way.”

After the introductory remarks, the volunteers walked into a large warehouse and stuffed 500 snack packs with non-perishable food for the Latin American Youth Center in D.C.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.