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Rescue Mission Hands Out School Supplies

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Aug 22, 2010 at 4:31 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 22, 2010 at 4:31 PM MST

Hundreds of children received backpacks full of school supplies just in time for the first day of class. The Rescue Mission held it’s annual Back to School Rally today. Officials say they passed out around 600 backpacks to students of all ages. A lot of the supplies were donated and the Mission says it wouldn't be possible without all the volunteers.

Athena Nedens teaches 4th grade and has seen kids show up to school without the proper supplies. “They're really embarrassed, they come up to me whispering, saying ‘I don’t have a backpack, I don’t have any stuff.’ So, I say great and go to my closet full of stuff, but we don’t have backpacks, we don’t have some supplies,” she says.

That’s why she decided to volunteer. “Being able to start the school year fresh and new, and having all their stuff gives them the motivation to want to be there,” Nedens says.

Those receiving the packs register in advance and the Rescue Mission custom makes each backpack to the needs of the students. “Notebook paper, spiral notebook paper, rulers, glue crayons, erasers, calculator, and in each one of them is a Bible too,” Rescue Mission Executive Director, Jim Kizer says.

Kizer adds there is a need for the help in the community. “We really want to help the poor community. We know that those children will be going to school on Wednesday and we want them to have everything they need,” he says.

All five of the Bucios will be in school this year, and their mother says it would be a struggle to get all the supplies. Saying, “We’d have to save; we’d have to save quite a bit.”

They aren't the only students excited for the supplies and for school to start. Today’s rally also featured bounce houses, a band, and food. “It’s just a fun community event, to give these things away and see the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Kizer says.

Kizer says the number of backpacks they hand out has gone up over the past two years. The Rescue Mission will continue giving out school supplies throughout the school year.

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