The Mesquite Salvation Army is running the Backpack to School Program for local kids in need again this year. The school items are to be distributed on Aug. 24 at the Salvation Army office at 355 W. Mesquite Blvd. between 9 a.m. and noon.
Applications will be accepted between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15.
The Mesquite Salvation Army fills about 150 backpacks each year for students in all age groups.
“We will help students in kindergarten through 12th grade,” said Director Roberta Franco. She personally picks out backpacks that are popular so the kids don’t feel singled out.
Requirements for the program include Nevada photo identification for all adults in the household, children’s birth certificates and proof of income for the last 30 days. People interested in donating school supplies can drop them off at Stateline Casino, 490 W. Mesquite Blvd.; Mesquite Cancer HELP Society, 150 N. Yucca St., No. 36; or Mountain America Credit Union, 355 W. Mesquite Blvd., Suite A.
One of the major sponsors for the program is Kathryn Watts of Mesquite.
“She comes in and sponsors this program and makes sure the kids have what they need. She has pledged to help us for the next couple years for backpacks to school,” Franco said.
Wal-Mart also helps by giving the Salvation Army a discount on supplies.
“The money is donated locally, the money is spent locally and it is distributed to the local kids. So everything stays right here in Mesquite,” Franco added.
The Living Water Fellowship youth group volunteers to fill the backpacks with school supplies.
For more information on Backpack to School, or other programs at the Mesquite Salvation Army, contact the office by phone at (702) 345-5114, or visit the website at www.mesquitesalvationarmy.org .