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Nonprofit Bright Apple Reaches 1 Million Snacks for Maury County Students

Issue #555

September 13, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Weather - Mostly sunny w/ High of 90, low of 60

📰 Nonprofit Bright Apple Reaches 1 Million Snacks for Maury County Students

👉 Family Games, Pub Subs, and Nissan Sports Cars

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Nonprofit Bright Apple Reaches 1 Million Snacks for Maury County Students

Bright Apple is a nonprofit organization that provides healthy snacks to students in elementary schools in Maury County to help boost their concentration and learning during the school day. Since its founding in 2019, Bright Apple has served over 1 million snacks to local children. They have recently expanded their roster to include two additional schools located in Spring Hill, Marvin Wright Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary.

“We want to help close the achievement gap among food insecure children in our community,” said Charity Kimes, one of the founders of Bright Apple. “Food insecurity is a reality for many children, and they cannot bring a snack from home. When children are hungry, they have trouble concentrating in school which can negatively affect their ability to learn fundamental skills in reading and math. The healthy snacks from Bright Apple provide needed nutrition to help students achieve better learning in the classroom.”

The addition of these two schools brings the total number of schools being served to nine elementary schools in Maury County. Other schools Bright Apple serves include J. R. Baker Elementary, Joseph Brown Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Randolph Howell Elementary, J.E. Woodard Elementary, and Mount Pleasant Elementary. 

“It is our goal to eventually be able to serve all of the elementary schools in Maury County and beyond,” said Melissa Webb, Director of Development for Bright Apple. “The expansion to include Spring Hill schools has long been a goal for us and we are so thankful to see this dream realized in adding two of the three Maury County Elementary Schools that are in Spring Hill. This is only possible because of the support of so many individuals, businesses, organizations, and churches in our community who give so generously to help children in our community. We especially want to thank our Diamond Apple sponsors including Ford of Columbia, Hyundai of Columbia, and Columbia Collision. Their partnership has been foundational in helping us achieve this milestone.”

“We’ve been honored to stand with Bright Apple since October 2023, and our nearly 150 team members believe deeply in its mission,” said Patrick Robertson, Assistant General Manager. “When we show up together at events like today, it’s about more than sponsorship—it’s about ensuring every child in Maury County has the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive. I encourage other business leaders to find a way to join this fight against food insecurity, because investing in the next generation is the most important investment we can make.”

Mayor of Maury County, Sheila Butt, attended the event to celebrate the new Bright Apple Schools. Butt also encouraged others to get involved in supporting Bright Apple.

“Congratulations to Bright Apple for adding more Maury County Schools to their wonderful program of supplying snacks to the school children in Maury County,” she said. “There are only four more schools in our county who are not receiving Bright Apple snacks. I urge our community to jump on board with them and let’s make sure all of our children have that blessing. Even a small donation can help make that happen. I have learned that bananas are the most popular snacks from Bright Apple, so let’s help every child get to enjoy them. Thank you, Bright Apple for your care for our children.”

The principals at Marvin Wright Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary are both excited about the provision of snacks for students in their schools.

With the addition of Marvin Wright Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary, Bright Apple now serves close to 2,000 snacks each school day. 

For more information about Bright Apple, visit BrightApple.org 

Family Games, Pub Subs, and Nissan Sports Cars

A few of the games available at the Victory Box Game Room.

Here’s a few event highlights for your weekend!

Soft opening of the Victory Box Game Room

As part of 2nd Saturday at The Factory at Columbia, the Victory Box Game Room is opening their doors today for their soft opening! Come test your skills on the digital slot car track, take on the arcade, and enjoy games for the whole family - including air hockey, retro video games, basketball hoops, foosball tables and more!

Publix Opening Day at Spring Hill Towne Crossing

Many Columbians have been waiting for this day and it’s finally here! Sure, it’s not quite in Columbia… but you don’t have to drive through Spring Hill to get there! Grab a pub sub and enjoy the squeaky clean brand new store :). 

Opens at 7:00 AM, hours will be from 7-10 every day 
1021 Jim Warren Pkwy, Spring Hill

All Nissan Car Show at Nissan North America in Franklin

This free car show is a part of Z-Con - the International Z Car Convention. Nissan sports cars (and their drivers) are descending on Franklin from all over and this should definitely be a unique event!

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
1 Nissan Way, Franklin
Follow the parking guidelines on this map. 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, September 13th

Sunday, September 14th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Sept 16: Breakfast with the Mayors
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival
Oct 11: Columbia Fall Fest
Oct 11: Whole Hog Festival

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, September 13th

Tom Dixon, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Gil Gann, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Yonder Trio, Buck & Board, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Los San Patricios, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Song Writers Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Kenny & Bob, Puckett’s, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
615 Rewind, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 – 11:00 PM

Sunday, September 14th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk