All districts — Organizers of the Big Backpack Build, an initiative from local nonprofit Storehouse of Community Resources, are seeking volunteers to help send thousands of Kent County students back to school ready to succeed.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, these volunteers will gather at DeVos Place to pack 12,500 backpacks with notebooks, pencils, folders, books and other classroom essentials.
Storehouse is seeking individuals 18+, families with older-aged children and company groups to sign up online to assemble backpacks from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and should expect to stand the entire time. Light snacks will be provided.
Morning, afternoon and evening sign-up slots are also available to help distribute backpacks to elementary students, given for free with every new pair of shoes, at In The Image’s SHOES 2025 program at DeVos Place from August 13-15.
The remaining backpacks will be distributed across Kent County through Kent School Services Network and their team of coordinators. Donations online are also welcome to help pay for backpacks and supplies.
At last year’s inaugural event, more than 150 volunteers from KSSN and other local businesses and organizations gathered at LMCU Ballpark to pack over 10,000 backpacks for Kent County students.
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