about the founders …

HOW DID THIS ALL GET STARTED? 

Bonded by friendship but separated by high schools throughout the county; As Juniors in 2018, Karina Wilson, Alyssa Kowalczyk and Genna Green came together through compassion. 

Longtime friends Karina, Alyssa, and Genna bonded in high school through their love of service, both at the Community Food Pantry and through their youth group, AGAPE, at Village Presbyterian Church. The three also shared a love of downtown Tampa, making frequent trips to watch Lightning games and engage in the highlife of the city. However, on these trips they also saw a great need in their community in the people living on the streets. Inspired by this need, they started Bags of Hope, wanting to deliver not just toiletries to those in need, but also hope and steps towards new start.

Meet the Founders

Karina Wilson

Karina is currently a graduate student at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism in Chicago and will graduate summer 2023. She is a 2023 graduate of the University of Florida where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Treasurer and Diversity Task Force Representative for the National Association of Black Journalists and was a sports editor for The Independent Alligator. She takes great pride in her 4 year dedication to Dance Marathon at the University of Florida honoring her brother who passed away from brain cancer and served as the Public Relations Assistant Director of Media Outreach for the 2022- 2023 year. Karina is a huge Lightning fan—GO BOLTS—and loves college football. She is so thankful to those who foster serving their community and that Bags of Hope has provided over 30,000 bags to the community since founded in 2018.

Alyssa Kowalczyk

After co-founding Bags of Hope, Alyssa graduated early from Florida State University studying psychology and sociology in December 2022. She is currently working on her masters in Occupational Therapy at the University of Saint Augustine as she works towards her dreams of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Alyssa is a driven as they come and continues to serve her community the St. Augustine area through her masters program. Alyssa has always had a heart for caring for others and led philanthropy efforts while at FSU for her sorority, Phi Mu. She is forever grateful for the opportunities that Bags of Hope has provided her, as well as helping her foster her love of philanthropy work. She loves spending time with her family and friends and especially loves dog Martini.

Genna Green

Genna is one of the co-founders of Bags of Hope. She graduated from Gaither High School and is now a full time pharmacy technician at Publix. Bags of Hope holds a special place in her heart as she loves giving back to others. Genna has volunteered at Village Presbyterian Church and the Community Food Pantry since she was 13 years old. Genna loves that Bags of Hope continues to give back. She thinks it’s important for students to get the opportunity to help those in need on their journey in life.