Backpacks – some 452 of them – filled one side of the Davie Family YMCA gym on Tuesday, just waiting for students leaving open house that night to go by and pick one up.
Empty? No way. Most were filled with some of the supplies students will need as they started school two days later.
It was part of the Build A Backpack program, begun by Walmart and supported by the United Way of Davie, the YMCA and hundreds of people who felt the need to help a student.
“We’re excited to work with other nonprofits and organizations invested in the community so that every child can focus on learning,” said Chris Brady, YMCA executive director.
According to the United Way, 3,000 Davie students receive free and reduced price lunches. Buying backpacks and supplies puts a strain on those families financially, said Melinda Beauchamp, executive director of the United Way.
The help for students isn’t ending there …