8/23/13 - The 13th annual Backpacks for Kids distribution event took place at the Livingston Educational Service Agency yesterday. Every year, the program collects backpacks and school supplies for students at all grade levels over the summer, then distributes them to help the students of the county can be ready for school. More than 1,200 backpacks were collected this year, a slight increase over last year. New this year was a wristband system, allowing families to be identified by what time they arrived without having to stand in line for the backpacks. This freed them up to take part in the Connect for Kids program, which was offered for several hours before the backpack giveaway. Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz says community partners come forward to help provide even more assistance to local families while they wait for their backpacks, including activities, information, and giveaways like fresh produce, helmets, toothbrushes, and fingerprinting. She says the two events are designed for the same group of families, and so it made sense to schedule them together. Although the collection drive has technically ended, LESA is still accepting donations through the beginning of the school year to help assist local families in need. (TD)
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