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Colorful bookbags sit on a table at the Salvation Army Steel Valley Corps' Back to School Backpack Bash
The Salvation Army Steel Valley Corps handed out 100 bookbags to children in the Steel Valley School District community as part of the organization’s first Back to School Backpack Bash.
Held at the Salvation Army’s Homestead location on East 9th Avenue, the Back to School Backpack Bash was designed to aid families with children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Lieutenant Michael Haynes, Jr. and Lieutenant Kevilyn Haynes organized the event and made sure the bags were full of essential school supplies, at least one outfit, and shoes. School shopping is never easy, and for some families, it can be challenging
“We want to make a difference and let people know they are important,” Lieutenant Michael Haynes, Jr. said.
Of the 100 bookbags that were prepared for the event, 65 went to preregistered families. The four-hour event also featured Reading Ready Pittsburgh, the Paul Mitchell hairstyling school, face painting, food, and additional donated items that visitors could pick up.
