Salvation Army gives away backpacks
Published 9:19 am Friday, August 22, 2008
With school right around the corner, the Albert Lea Salvation Army gave away 163 backpacks of school supplies this week as part of its Tools for Schools program.
The distribution of backpacks came after an almost monthlong collection of supplies at local retail businesses. The Salvation Army gave community members the opportunity to purchase school supplies for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and then drop them off in a collection bin.
After the supplies were collected, and the Salvation Army purchased supplemental supplies, they were put into backpacks and readied for distribution.
On the first day of distribution, 113 backpacks were given away, and on the second day, 66 were given away.
“We think it’s a successful program,” said Dan Kean, Salvation Army ministry intern, who helped organize the program.
Though many items were donated by members of the public, in the end the Salvation Army ended up purchasing an additional $780 worth of supplies — about 75 percent of the supplies that had to be given out, Kean said.
Capt. Jim Brickson said the Salvation Army will continue to support the program next year and work to get the community more on board with it.
“We need to invest in our young folks,” he said.
Kean said the organization would probably start the program earlier next year to allow more time for donations.
In the end, 85 families received assistance.
“It makes your whole day when you can tell people really appreciated it,” Kean said.
Also in time for school, there will be a special school sale at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Bridge Avenue, selling all children’s clothes at 75 cents an item.