Free backpacks with school supplies....
By PDBME2
@PDBME2 (1014)
United States
July 30, 2010 11:50pm CST
Today our neighbour came over to let us know that the school district was giving away free backpacks for the kids. The backpacks had all the school supplies the students would need to start school in two weeks. My kids were at Vacation Bible School so I took proof that I had kids enrolled. They were ok with me taking 5 backpacks. I can't believe what a blessing this was to get free backpacks for the kids. One less expense to deal with before school starts. I was also happy to hear most of the parents outside in the parking lot praising God for this blessing. I was telling my husband that everywhere I turned people were saying it was such a blessing to have one less expense. Where you live do they ever offer free things before school starts?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I don't think they offer that here. Hubby and I don't have kids yet. Of course there's always the drop off point for school supplies for those who are less fortunate, but that is in stores not at the actual school. I think it is such a great thing for the school to be able to do this, but it makes me wonder if it's not taking away from other things like books. I know through the year there's different ways to raise money but it seems to me that they could've saved the money from the purchase of all the backpacks and school supplies, and instead saved it for later when new books are needed, etc.
I know you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth though. (Is that how that saying goes?)
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
31 Jul 10
Oh okay, then I suppose the money they used to fund for the supplies was money left over after building and furnishing the new school. I hate to hear about teacher's losing their jobs because the school could not afford to pay them. When I was a student it seemed like some of the teachers actually bought their own supplies, and some supplies even for the children (that was a bit off topic)
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 10
Didn't think about that one? 
I do volunteer work at the school and it seems the books are ok. In fact their school is getting a new location halfway through the school year. The new school is supposed to have newer technology for the students. Right now there has been a decrease in students since alot of the homes went under foreclosure. Families moved away and left the schools with less students. I think the worse thing that has happened is that most teachers who had alot of years were asked to retire. Yes we live in an area where most of the community is below income levels.
I do volunteer work at the school and it seems the books are ok. In fact their school is getting a new location halfway through the school year. The new school is supposed to have newer technology for the students. Right now there has been a decrease in students since alot of the homes went under foreclosure. Families moved away and left the schools with less students. I think the worse thing that has happened is that most teachers who had alot of years were asked to retire. Yes we live in an area where most of the community is below income levels.1 person likes this
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
1 Aug 10
We live in California too but for some reasons in the city where I live there is always some events that give away things. My parents live in Orange County and nothing is ever given over there either. I try to find out where these events are and normally the schools give out the information or even the paper.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
31 Jul 10
The schools here do not offer anything, however many of the stores are running exceptionally good deals that lead to extremely cheap or free school supplies. I believe staples is giving away free backpacks this year.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
31 Jul 10
No I have never heard this and wow this is a great Blessing. It is where our financial situations have been so poor that a wonderful Blessing like this is absolutely wonderful.
Imagine the poor families who absolutely just cannot afford such needed supplies for their kids.
God Bless your family!
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 10
This was such a great blessing. I didn't even know they were doing this for the kids. Last year we went out to buy them backpacks with their school supplies and spent more money than we thought possible. A couple of weeks into the school their afterschool program at school gave the kids backpacks with supplies. I was kind of upset because had I known we would have waited. This year our church is doing an event like this for the community in a few weeks. These backpacks are really nice and they go along with their uniforms. 
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
31 Jul 10
Yes indeed in sounds like a wonderful blessing.. make sure to tell all your acquaintances about your church event so that they can be Bless as well and well you might just get more active members to your church as well. Enjoy your Saturday!
@iceamber (68)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I LOVE when people who can shed some dollars off or something give free stuff to the needy and such!! It's so nice.
In Missouri, we sometimes have a lot of people who give school supplies to the banks and by the time school starts, the banks have anywhere between 5 to 10 big boxes full of school items!!! Then, the banks give it to people in charge of giving to the needy.
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I am very surprised on how they managed to get any kind of funding to do this type of charity. It is nice when people do get together to do something. I know during Christmas time we have projects at our church to give kids whose parents are incarcerated gifts. We usually pick a child to give to since we feel all year long we have been blessed.
@lindaharding627 (1442)
• United States
31 Jul 10
A local church here sometimes helps with free school supplies. There is also a local program called Dress a Child that provides vouchers for kids to be able to get some new clothes for school. I have used this program in the past and it was wonderful. I am very happy that our community does this.
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 10
It's nice when churches get involved to help parents out. We live in a community that is sometimes criticized for the poor people that live in the community. We are not poor but we are not rich either. Having five kids can be hard getting them ready for school. I already bought some of their uniforms but the backpack issue I didn't even want to think about just yet. I'm glad that the neighbour let us know this morning since she has five kids too.
