Volunteers in Alexandria filled 2,300 backpacks with school supplies for distribution across the region today (Wednesday), in memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The backpacks will be sent to seven Title I middle schools in the area, including Francis C. Hammond Middle School. It’s all part of United Way National Capital Area’s Stuff the Bus campaign, which distributes the donated supplies in an effort to support local schools.
The event brought dozens of volunteers as part of the nonprofit’s week of service, which was dedicated to King’s legacy at the nonprofit’s headquarters in Old Town.
“The bus is full,” Rosie Allen-Herring, CEO of United Way NCA, told ALXnow. “This is mid-year for many of our young people, and it’s a time when some of those earlier donations of school supplies are now needed to be replenished. They’re likely going to be delivered in the next week or so.”
Last June, the charity gave 500 stuffed backpacks to Francis C. Hammond Middle School. United Way NCA’s partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools has provided more than 3,500 backpacks to the West End school since 2017.
Earlier this week, another 750 backpacks were stuffed at another United Way NCA event with the Howard University men’s basketball team.
Sponsors included Regency Centers, WesBanco and Enterprise Mobility, which also presented United Way with a $10,000 check.
Donated supplies included a range of items, from binders and folders to notebook paper, pencils, pens and earbuds.
