Brewster's Back-To-School Giveaway equips students with backpacks and supplies

BREWSTER –Backpacks outnumbered kids at the first Back-To-School Giveaway held at the Brewster Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, August 17.

Hundreds of backpacks and supply kits ensured that every family that showed up had the basics for Brewster Elementary students to arrive for the first day of school prepared to learn.

Earlier, the Brewster Chamber of Commerce approved the purchase of 450 backpacks and a lesser quantity of supply packs to match the estimated number of students returning to school this fall.

BBGC Executive Director Elizabeth Shepard and Chamber Director Ann-Marie Dalbey were on hand at 10 a.m. Saturday morning to greet the families and students who lined up at the BBGC front door. Following a brief procedural orientation, an orderly procession of parents and students filed through two separate areas, selecting backpacks in one and supplies in the other.

Shepard said the previous evening had been devoted to unpacking the boxes of supplies, sorting the contents, and arranging everything on tables for easy access.

“We handed out 133 backpacks on Saturday together with 133 supply packs,” said Shepard. “We handed out another 52 on Sunday.”

“We did talk to each of the school principals here to let them know if they do have any families that move in or students in need of a backpack to reach, and we will make sure they get one,” Shepard said.

Dalbey covered the cost of providing a snow cone vendor, who distributed refreshments to families as they made the supply selections.

The Chamber voted to save the majority of the remaining backpacks for next year.

“Our purpose was met on making sure that we helped as many kids get as many supplies and preparation for school as we could,” Shepard said.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media