Jennifer Hudson and Her Sister Deliver 2,000 Backpacks Filled with School Supplies to Chicago Kids

Maria Pasquini
·3 min read

JULIAN D. KING GIFT FOUNDATION

Jennifer Hudson and her sister Julia are giving back.

On Friday, the pair held their 10th annual “Hatch Day,” giving away backpacks filled with school supplies to Chicago students in need.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, this year’s event was a mobile affair, with the sisters and a group of 15 volunteers helping to deliver 2,000 backpacks over the city. In addition to more traditional supplies like pens and notebooks, they also handed out face masks, hand sanitizers and tablets.

“Now more than ever, young people need to know that there are people standing up for them and rooting for them as they learn and grow,” Jennifer and Julia said in a statement. “So much has changed this year for the city of Chicago and the entire world, but providing children with the tools they need to succeed will always be our mission. Though hatch day may look different this year, we’ve never been more committed to supporting our communities.”

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My mama use to say “where there is a will , there is a way “ @juleyah definitely had the will to still find a way to service these kids on this “Hatch day” even during the pandemic , in the safest way possible ! Drop your location and be on the looking out thru out all the chicago areas and we will drop u a backpack and back to school needs ! Happy Hatch day yal !!!!

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Aug 14, 2020 at 10:32am PDT

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Oh but we made it thru it all! Although it was very different this year with all that’s going on ! We went to @juleyah house and celebrated #Julian d.king bday , he woulda been 19 ! My munch made his cousin cake , which made it even more special ! On this Hatch day many kids in chicago was still blessed ! Happy heavenly birthday nephew !! We will always honor and uphold your memory ! Until next time guys ! P.s I been around these kids to long ! Haha

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Aug 14, 2020 at 6:28pm PDT

The Julian D. King Gift Foundation, which holds a number of events annually, including Hatch Day, was created in honor of the late Julian D. King, Julia’s son and Jennifer’s nephew, who was killed in 2008.

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Jennifer and Julia also celebrated what would have been Julian’s 19th birthday on Friday.

“Oh but we made it thru it all! Although it was very different this year with all that’s going on ! We went to @juleyah house and celebrated #Julian d.king bday , he woulda been 19 !” the singer wrote on Instagram, alongside a series of images and videos of the day.

“On this Hatch day many kids in chicago was still blessed ! Happy heavenly birthday nephew !! We will always honor and uphold your memory ! Until next time guys !” she added.