Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Kids to Benefit from Salvation Army's Backpack Program

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Kids to Benefit from Salvation Army's Backpack Program
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 08/16/2018

Getting children ready for back to school can put a financial strain on a lot of families who are already struggling to make ends meet, especially when they have more than one school aged child. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is helping to ease that burden for local families in the communities it serves in a direct hands-on way, by supporting, for the first time this year, The Salvation Army's back-to-school backpack program being held at The Salvation Army Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center Aug. 18.

A grant provided by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will enable 300 local children to return to school well prepared and ready to learn. New backpacks containing a variety of necessary school supplies will be distributed by The Salvation Army, along with volunteers from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, to disadvantaged students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

"School supplies and new clothes for the start of a school year can have a profound impact a child's learning experience," said Neil Parham, Director of Community Affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. "We are proud to support Salvation Army's engaging back to school program which helps prepare so many children in our communities to achieve their best potential when they return to school. "

In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, other community partners will be on site volunteering to provide free haircuts as well as gently used clothes and shoes; and there will be food, games and entertainment for all children attending who have pre-registered with The Salvation Army for this event.

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army was founded in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 129 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log onto www.wpa.salvationarmy.org.

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