BACKPACK GIVEAWAY FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES
BACKPACK GIVEAWAY FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES
Providing Local Children School Supplies For A Successful School Year
PETOSKEY, MI, August 19, 2024 – The Salvation Army’s Backpack Giveaway is on Saturday, August 24th from 9AM-12PM. School children (preschoolers - 12th graders) and parents must be present to participate. School children will be able to choose their own backpacks and load them with pens, pencils, notebooks and many other supplies they need for a successful school year. Backpacks and supplies were donated by compassionate community members during the “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive that was held at Walmart August 9th and 10th. The Salvation Army would like to thank the generous community members, Lite 96.3, Little Traverse Bay Kiwanis, Emmet County Republicans and other amazing volunteers who got the word out, staffed and contributed to the event.
School is just two weeks away and many parents are still struggling to provide the required school supplies for their children that have nearly doubled in cost over the last couple of years due to inflation. Many have to make the choice whether to send their children to school unprepared or with holes in their sneakers. Either will affect a child’s self-esteem and the way they are treated by their peers.
“We are happy to be able to provide needed supplies to children who would otherwise go to school empty handed this year” says Envoy Roman Hank. This service not only brings relief to many parents who are worried about disappointing their children, but lessens the burden placed on the teachers and classrooms which affects the education of all students”.
All remaining school supplies received during Stuff the Bus will be distributed to alternating local schools in Emmet, Charlevoix and Antrim Counties. Each year, two school districts are chosen to be Stuff the Bus recipients on a rotating basis. For example, last year Mackinaw Public Schools and Boyne Falls Public Schools were chosen while the year prior they were distributed to Pellston Public Schools and Alanson Public Schools. By allowing schools to have the supplies on hand, they are immediately accessible to the children who need them and because they are given confidentially, children do not experience a feeling of shame because their family cannot afford the same items their peers have.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more information about our ministries, programs or services or to donate, please visit www.sapetoskey.org or call (231)347-3531.