Washington Commanders Support Blessings in a Backpack at Mount Vernon Community School

Helping to even the playing field, the Washington Commanders came to Mount Vernon Community School (MVCS) on Sept. 16, 2025, to lend support to the Blessings in a Backpack program. Players Chris Moore, Chris Rodriguez, Jaylin Lane and team mascot Major Tuddy joined volunteers in packing 500 bags filled with healthy food for a $5,000 donation from the Commanders organization. Students were excited to have the Commanders visit their school and showed their appreciation by singing a special song for them. The players thoroughly enjoyed the time they had to interact with the students. 

In attendance from Alexandria City Public Schools were Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Chief of School and Community Relations Julia A. Burgos, APR, and Chief Financial Officer Dominic Turner, who joined the school community in highlighting the value of this strong community partnership.

“Partnerships like Blessings in a Backpack and the Washington Commanders help ensure our students have what they need beyond the classroom so they can come to school ready to learn and thrive,” said MVCS Principal Jennifer Hamilton.

Students who benefit from the Blessings in a Backpack program at MVCS receive a packaged meal kit to help ensure they have nutritious meals over the weekend when they are not in school. The Blessings in a Backpack program makes a world of difference for the students it serves and Mount Vernon appreciates community support to help prevent weekend hunger.

Watch video of the event