The Salvation Army helped more than 200 children return to school this week with new backpacks filled with school supplies.
Donations were accepted at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Great Bend and at drop-offs around Barton County. Volunteers sorted the items and assembled 250 backpacks. All but a few were distributed Aug. 9, said Ashley Allen at the store. The nonprofit organization will rely on referrals from school counselors in determining where the remaining packs need to go.
While the bags did not contain all of the back-to-school items on parents’ shopping lists, they did include an assortment of pencils, notebooks, crayons and other basic supplies. The Salvation Army purchased most of the backpacks, which is generally the most expensive item on the list. There were packs of all sizes.
“I just want to say thank you to the businesses and the community members that participated,” Allen said. “This was the most successful year that we’ve had.”