Perhaps the most innovative act of corporate responsibility we’ve seen recently is JPS’s donation of 100 waterproof vinyl backpacks and pencil cases to needy students this month. 

The BannaBags project is a social initiative of JPS’s Corporate Communication Department, turning discarded vinyl banners into smart bags for children. JPS supplies material & designs and HEART Trust NTA/ GARMEX Academy manufactures the bags & pencil cases. 

This first donation went to students in need of back-to-school support. The next set of bags will go to other needy students and some from the JPS Foundation Model Schools and children nominated by JPS employees.
 
Phase two of the project will run October to November 2014, and JPS says it will invite other companies to partner with BannaBags and donate their vinyl advertising material. This is expected to create a larger supply of source material to create more bags for children across Jamaica. “It’s a simple idea with many benefits, and it is a great way of breathing new life into unused advertising,” says JPS's Director of Corporate Communications, Winsome Callum. 

We can’t think of an idea more deserving of a Panmedia Salute.