Bend Salvation Army in need of donated school supplies

With less than a week to go until its back-to-school distribution, The Salvation Army in Bend said Tuesday it has no backpacks or supplies to hand out to families in need. The organization is turning to the Bend community for support to fulfill this need.

“We value the importance of education — starting at a young age. It sets the foundation for future success in years to come. This is why we are looking to the community for donations of school supplies, backpacks and binders,” said Bend Salvation Army Corps Officer, Captain Michael Johnson.

On Saturday, Aug. 27 The Salvation Army Bend Corps (541 NE Dekalb Avenue) is hosting a Back-to-School Distribution and hopes to provide 120 kids with the tools they need for the upcoming school year. There will be food, prizes and a water slide beginning at 11 a.m.

Eligible students (K-12) will have the opportunity to shop for school supplies from 10 a.m. to noon. They must be pre-registered. Families can register for the event through the Social Services Department at (541) 389-8888 x202.

Without the community’s help, The Salvation Army will not have the resources it needs to give kids the tools to be successful. For many families, it can be challenging to afford back-to-school supplies. That is why it is important for The Salvation Army and the Bend community to step in to help families this school year.

“With your help, we can make sure these kids go back to school with confidence and a smile,” Johnson said.

You can make a difference this weekend by purchasing a backpack or school supplies and dropping them off at The Salvation Army (515 NE Dekalb Ave. Bend, OR 97701). The Salvation Army is also accepting monetary donations and is more than willing to do the shopping for you.

For more information about The Salvation Army in Bend please visit: http://bend.salvationarmy.org