Center for People in Need hands out backpacks

Posted By: Bayley Bischof Channel 8 Eyewitness News 

Excitement filled the air as students of all ages picked out brand new backpacks at the Center for People in Need Tuesday.

But the best part of these bags isn’t the color or the free price tag.

It’s the peace of mind they provide parents.

"I have one girl who is nine years and a boy who is five years,” Naseer Alameeri said.

Both his children got free backpacks full of supplies, ready for the school year.

They are families who have center for people in need cards.

"We’re helping them prepare for the exciting time of going back to school next month,” Steve Sheridan, with the Center for People in Need said.

Hundreds of families visited the Center in the last two days, able to check many items off the long list of supplies schools require.

"They each have basic supplies like folders, pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, glue sticks,” Sheridan said.

While these supplies don’t cost much on their own, Sheridan, with the center, said they add up, especially for big families.

"Some of our families have 5 or 6 kids and that’s a huge burden,” Sheridan said. “So when you come here and know that you get a backpack and supplies for everyone that makes a huge difference."

The parents I talked to agree.

"Some families like me have four or five kids and this is a great way to help families be able to help their kids go to school,” said Gemeiz Abusadar, parent of four.

Alameeri said help like this doesn’t happen where he’s from, in Iraq.

"I want to say thank you for the help for kids,” he said.

The Center for People in Need handed out backpacks until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

They also give them out August 6 from 10- 4:00 p.m. and August 7 from 10:00- 6:00 p.m.