LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Sidewalks in front of the Lynn Salvation Army were lined with local families on Thursday morning, waiting to get some help for the upcoming school year.
The nonprofit organization offered help to all in need of some supplies for the new academic year. They have held the event every summer for around 40 years.
Around 400 children attended the giveaway, receiving brand new backpacks filled with everything from pencils to notebooks.
Salvation Army Captain Enmanuel Villegas said he’s happy to see all the families he can help.
“With everything that’s going on with the economy, to a lot of people losing their jobs, or having a hard time right now economically speaking, this saves them a lot of money,” said Villegas. “They will have a backpack.”
Along with school utilities, the event had tables set up by agencies to help with any questions families may have.
“We want the parents or legal guardians to be connected with community resources, and so we have different agencies here with resources to provide to the parents or legal guardians or the children,” said Villegas.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.