ORLANDO, Fla. – Packing and smiling, more than 100 volunteers came out on Thursday for A Gift for Teaching’s The Great Big Backpack Build event.
Volunteers split into teams, grabbed backpacks and began stuffing with them with all sorts of school supplies.
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“It’s all about the kids and I think about how awesome it is for us to be a part of this and all the students that show up on the first day of school and they have everything they need,” said Susan Montanez, a volunteer with Wells Fargo.
For nearly 25 years, A Gift For Teaching has served and donated supplies for public schools in Orange and Osceola counties.
Board members said more than 70% of public schools in Central Florida are considered high need with many families unable to afford supplies for their kids.
The event is held over two days during which volunteers pack all 15,000 backpacks ahead of August for back to school.
“It gives students confidence and if they can start there, they can listen, they can experience a classroom, their teachers, their peers and they can really be engaged,” said Traci Ash-Bjella, A Gift For Teaching board member.
Donations are being accepted online at agiftforteaching.org/supplydrive.