SPOKANE, Wash. — Although some students will learn from home this fall, kids are still going back to school, and if your child needs some school supplies to start the year off right, the Salvation Army of Spokane has you covered.
The Salvation Army's 11th annual Backpacks for Kids event is slated for Wednesday, August 12 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Spokane County Fairgrounds.
Instead of an in-person event, this year’s distribution will be a social distancing, drive-through event where volunteers will bring backpacks out to kids and families waiting in cars.
This year's event requires double the amount of manpower the Salvation army needed in previous years.
"Being at the fairgrounds and it being drive up, we need more people to pick backpacks out and bring them out to the kids, and also to get people signed up for the whole program," said Major Ken Perine with the salvation army.
Maj. Perine emphasized that although many students will be taking classes online, students will still need supplies, and families in need are encouraged to come down to the fairgrounds.
"We really want to get the word out, to let parents know that even if your kids aren't going to be attending class, if you're struggling to find assistance, whether it be with pens, paper, any of the normal school supply stuff, we have that for you, so please come by the fairgrounds so we can help you out," Maj. Perine said. "If you have a neighbor that doesn't have a car but could use assistance we ask that you bring them down to the fairgrounds also, so we can help them out."
Those who want to sign up to help are encouraged to visit www.makingspokanebetter.org and click on "Volunteer in This Community" to sign up.