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Interfaith Social Services distributes hundreds of backpacks

Backpack distribution relieves burden of back-to-school costs

The basement shelves at Interfaith Social Services overflowed with backpacks and school supplies this summer, as donations poured in for their annual Backpack Drive.

Interfaith, a multiservice agency in Quincy which houses a food pantry, mental health counseling center and homelessness prevention program, hosts several seasonal initiatives throughout the year to bring a little bit of joy to children who may be growing up in difficult situations. The annual Backpack Drive is intended to make sure children start out the school year outfitted with the supplies they need to succeed and to take a bit of the burden of back-to-school costs off their guardians.

Volunteers distributed more than 1,000 backpacks during the month of August to the children of Interfaith’s food pantry clients. “It is incredible to see the joy on children’s faces when they receive these backpacks,” said Interfaith’s executive director Rick Doane. “A record-setting number of families have reached out to Interfaith for help this year. It is moving to see the outpouring of support from our community to serve these additional clients. Backpacks and school supplies should not be a luxury; unfortunately they are for hundreds of local families who are struggling to provide basic necessities for their children. This program emphasizes the importance of education and removes some of the stress of the back-to-school season so that children and their guardians can have a more meaningful experience.”

The backpacks, which were donated by local businesses and individuals, were filled with school supplies including notebooks, pens and pencils, markers, crayons, binders, combination locks and more. Interfaith’s volunteers assembled and inventoried the hundreds of bags, ensuring that each child received the supplies they need to start the school year.

Interfaith’s Backpack Drive is made possible through the support of dozens of individuals, businesses and organizations who donate backpacks, supplies and monetary contributions during the summer. Several local businesses and organizations supported the program this year with donations of backpacks and supplies, including Aldon Electric, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C., Bay State Milling, Black Rock Women’s Golf, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Braintree Knights of Columbus, Dowling Insurance Agency, East Coast Printing, East Congregational Church of Milton, First Congregational Church of Braintree, HarborOne Bank, Hingham Congregational Church, Maddie’s Promise, Quincy Point Congregational Church, Signet Electronic Systems, South Congregational Church of Braintree and Stop & Shop.