The Salvation Army and Denver7 bring back Pack A Backpack

The Salvation Army and Denver7 bring back Pack A Backpack

Successful school campaign is sponsored by Les Schwab Tire Centers

(DENVER, COLORADO) – The Salvation Army is partnering again this year with Denver7 and Les Schwab Tire Centers to help ensure the upcoming school year is the best school year for thousands of children across the Denver Metro area. The campaign goal: Equip 4,000 students with backpacks filled with new supplies. Last year, Pack A Backpack distributed 3,800 backpacks to students in need.

The Pack A Backpack drive begins July 5 and continues through the month. Backpacks will be distributed to students on Aug. 2 at the Aurora Corps and the Centennial Corps. (Registration is required; please see below.)

The public may donate school supplies at any Les Schwab Tire Centers location or online at PackaBackpack.org.  Supplies needed this year include backpacks, crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, #2 pencils, erasers, supply boxes, scissors, glue, folders, notebooks, rulers and hand sanitizer.

Financial contributions also are welcome. A contribution of $50 provides one supplies-filled backpack for a student in need.

The annual Pack A Backpack program serves families who are struggling financially. More than 133,000 children under the age of 18 are experiencing poverty in Colorado, according to the 2022 U.S. Census. Every year, these families and more struggle to pay for school supplies, which are critical to a student’s success.

“The need is greater this year, so we’re aiming higher than we ever have,” said Major Nesan Kistan, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Intermountain Division. “Support from our community will help individual students succeed in the new school year – right here in Denver.”

To sign up for the Pack A Backpack program, families are advised to contact The Salvation Army Corps or Service Center nearest them. Find a list of participating locations online at SalArmy.us/Backpack2024.

About The Salvation Army USA

The Salvation Army (TSA) annually helps nearly 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit TSA Intermountain Division or SalvationArmyUSA.org.