Salvation Army offers backpacks, school supplies to Boston students

By Johanna Kaiser, Town Correspondent

Up to 3,500 children and teenagers living in Boston have an opportunity to receive a backpack and supplies as they head back to school as part of an joint initiative by the city, the Garden Neighborhood Charities, and The Salvation Army.

The Boston Back-to-School Celebration to be held later this month will offer Boston families a way to provide their school children with the supplies they need to start the school year and provide a day of activities for families.

The Salvation Army said it will host this year’s event at the TD Garden where children will receive a backpack full of school supplies, visit interactive booths, play an escape game with Boston firefighters, shoot a basket in a Garden hoops, take a slap shot at a National Hockey League net, and snap a photograph with the Celtics and Bruins banners

“We just want to make sure that every child in Boston has a great start to their school year,” Major Ivan Rock, who oversees Salvation Army activities in Boston, said in a statement. “That’s why we’ve gotten together with fantastic partners at the city and Garden Neighborhood Charities to create a memorable, fun, informative celebration and to provide much-needed school supplies.”  

To receive a backpack and supplies, families must register with the Salvation Army by August 10. Registration for children 5 to 17 years old can be completed at the Salvation Army’s South End location at 1500 Washington St. from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or at The Salvation Army Kroc Community Center at 650 Dudley St. in Dorchester on Tuesday from 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Parents must bring valid government issued photo identification, a birth certificate or school record of the children they wish to register, and a current utility bill for proof of address.
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E-mail: johanna.yourtown@gmail.com