Longtime friends Karina, Alyssa and Genna bonded in high school through their love of service at the Community Food Pantry and their youth group at Village Presbyterian Church. They also enjoyed exploring downtown Tampa together, attending Tampa Bay Lightning games and embracing the city life. It was one of the ways the trio, who all attended different high schools, stayed connected. During their visits, they noticed a great need in their community for people living on the streets. Inspired to make a difference, they started Bags of Hope to provide toiletries but, more importantly, a sense of hope and support to those in need.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Karina Wilson

Karina serves as the Communications and Social Media Coordinator for the Community Food Pantry. She earned her Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University with a specialization in video and broadcast in 2024. At Northwestern, she was awarded the inaugural National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter X Chicago Blackhawks Foundation Scholarship. Karina is a proud alumna of the University of Florida, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Journalism, with a concentration in sports and media. She also earned a minor in communication studies and a certificate in sports management. While at UF, Karina was an active member of Gamma Phi Beta, Dance Marathon, the Gator Chapter of NABJ and the Independent Florida Alligator. She is passionate about the intersection of sports and content creation. Karina is a huge professional hockey fan (Go Bolts) and college football enthusiast (Go Gators). She is overjoyed by the impact Bags of Hope continues to have on the community.

Alyssa Kowalczyk

After traveling to Tallahassee and St Augustine, Alyssa found her way back to Tampa, where she continues to worship at Village Presbyterian Church. As a full-time occupational therapist, Alyssa has lived her dream of giving back to her community where she was born and raised.  Bags of Hope has instilled a servant heart within her and continues to be one of the proudest projects she’s ever been a part of. The relationships found and fostered through Bags of Hope will always be close to her heart and she finds joy in cheering on all of the young people a part of the mission! Alyssa loves her community and her dog Martini immensely. She is incredibly thankful to be part of such an amazing organization!

Genna Green

Genna is one of the co-founders of Bags of Hope. She is a Tampa native and works as a medical esthetician. She strives to leave people better than she found them, and Bags of Hope does just that. Genna loves seeing the impact that Bags of Hope has on the Greater Tampa Bay Area and watching students from all around step in as interns or volunteers for events. She continues to support Village Presbyterian Church and the Community Food Pantry, as she’s volunteered since the age of 13. These organizations will always be a special part of Genna's life, and she is grateful for the community they have created for her and others.