Jake Short, star of the Disney hit show A.N.T. Farm and Olivia Osteen , the niece of famous televangelist Pastor Joel Osteen , have taken to the airwaves to promote “Blessings in a Backpack,” a nationwide charity aimed at fighting hunger in our schools.
Disney Channel star Jake Short and Olivia Osteen, niece of Pastor Joel Osteen, team together for Blessings in a Backpack PSA to fight hunger.
The campaign is highlighted by a public service announcement produced by Sound Tree Entertainment’s Gregory James Blount , who recruited two of today’s brightest young stars to issue a call to action to help keep American school children from going home hungry on the weekends.
Through “Blessings in a Backpack,” each Friday, volunteers donate their time putting food in backpacks of underprivileged children heading home for the weekend. In many cases their homes are without food, and some of the children have no home at all. For only $80, the program can feed one child for the 38 weekends of the school year.
The PSA spot shows Jake and Olivia’s efforts packing backpacks and detailing how others can help. It was filmed at Pastor Joel Osteen ‘s famed Lakewood Church in Houston. Chandler Kravitz , a student filmmaker, edited the PSA.
“Jake and Olivia actually support their own schools,” said Blount who has wide-ranging experience in the entertainment industry. “Jake supports the Village Academy with me in Delray Beach, Florida, where he visited the school last year.”
Olivia supports the Janowski Elementary School in Houston.
“Because I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Africa many times, I’ve met a lot of people who are hungry, even malnourished,” Olivia said. “And through ‘Blessings in a Backpack,’ I’ve met kids who for different reasons need help with weekend meals. It’s easy to think hunger only affects certain countries, but the truth is, there are hungry people living in America and your own city.”
Olivia is the niece of Joel Osteen , Pastor of 43,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston, and whose televised worship reaches 10 million households each week. Pastor Osteen will host “Night of Hope” at Marlins Stadium in Miami this Saturday.
“The entertainment industry is a tough business and I think it’s wonderful when you have young talent who understand the importance of giving back while they’re climbing the ladder of success,” said Blount who in addition to producing the spot, sponsors the Village Academy.” Jake and Olivia understand this and are making a difference.”
