TUSCALOOSA BACKPACK COALITION HOSTS BACKPACK GIVEAWAY

The Tuscaloosa Backpack coalition and the Saint Mark United Methodist Church teamed up this weekend so students can get back to school with a brand new backpack and all the school supplies they need.

Students and parents involved in the program lined up in front of Crestmont Elementary School for their new backpacks and school supplies for the coming year.

Brandie Bowden from the Tuscaloosa Backpack Coalition said registration for the giveaway began at the end of last year with guidance counselors identifying  students in need.

She said it’s imperative students start the year with everything they need to be successful.

“It helps them to take ownership,” Bowden said. “It helps them to be excited, it helps them to start from day one expecting great things from themselves and from their school.”

About 100 students received backpacks from Crestmont Elementary, but county-wide, more than 1,000 kids go a new backpack and supplies as part of the giveaway.

District 2 Northport City Councilman Jay Logan said it’s important for students to start off school right.

“A lot of times we take for granted the fact that families may not have the ability to have school supplies ready the first day of school, so that means a lot to a kid to start off fresh,” Logan said.