Bend kids handed backpacks and school supplies

The countdown for the first day of school in Central Oregon is down to the final days. On Thursday, some kids marked the day by getting a backpack and supplies.

It was all thanks to American Licorice Company’s efforts to give back.

Across the nation, the Bend-based company was donating 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. In Central Oregon, 1,500 were being distributed to students at four elementary schools.

“They get excited about getting a backpack. Then they open it up and they see that there are things in there, and that’s what’s really exciting,” American Licorice Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Laurel Haas said.

At Bear Creek Elementary in Bend. 680 backpacks were set to be handed out as students came for an open house to meet teachers and classmates Thursday.

“We’ve always supported kids,” Haas said. “We’ve always supported education. So we found the Kids in Need Foundation, who supply school supplies to kids all across the country.”