FORT WAYNE, Ind., September 10, 2018 – Vera Bradley, the women’s fashion and lifestyle brand, completes its nationwide philanthropic tour this week with the non-profit organization Blessings in a Backpack. Together, with a variety of celebrity co-hosts, seven elementary schools across the United Sates were treated to carnival-themed charity events where Vera Bradley donated 25,000 backpacks filled with food supplies for children in need.

“Being able to support these children and their families and create a positive experience that puts a smile on their faces is the ultimate reward,” says Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, Co-Founder of Vera Bradley. “We feel very fortunate to partner with Blessings in a Backpack to give back to our communities.”

With stops in Chicago, Illinois; Louisburg, Kansas; Nashville, Tennessee; Fort Myers, Florida; Grand Prairie, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and New Brunswick, New Jersey during a span of four weeks, each event was co-hosted by surprise celebrity guests. Below is the full schedule of the exclusive back-to-school tour:

August 15th in Chicago, IL with Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East

August 23rd, Louisburg, KS with Jade and Tanner Tolbert

August 27th, Nashville, TN with Jason and Brittany Aldean, RaeLynn, Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East

August 27th, Fort Myers, FL with Witney Carson

August 28th, Grand Prairie, TX with JoJo Fletcher

September 5th, Los Angeles, CA with Sarah Michelle Gellar

September 7th, New Brunswick, NJ with Danielle Jonas and Kevin Jonas

In addition to receiving their new Vera Bradley backpacks filled with food, all elementary school students were able to participate in a variety of fun carnival activities including game booths, a zippin’ zone, rock climbing wall, skee ball, obstacle course, a wrecking ball, bungee run, circus city slide and so much more.

At the end of each week throughout the school year, the students’ backpacks will be refilled with food for their families for the weekend ahead.

For more information and updates on the Vera Bradley, follow Vera Bradley on Facebook and @verabradley on Instagram and Twitter.