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To help cut some of the cost, the Stamford Police Association and the Salvation Army are holding the annual Back Pack Giveway on Saturday. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of police headquarters at 805 Bedford St.
The event also includes a barbecue where volunteers from the association and The Salvation Army will serve free hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and soda to children and their parents.
“Every child deserves to have the proper tools necessary to succeed in school, regardless of their family’s financial situation,” said Stamford Police Officer Jerry Junes, who is the lead organizer of the event for the police association. He said it is a way for the association and the Salvation Army to help.
Backpacks will be provided to students 16 and under. One bag will be given to each child present, as long as supplies last.
“These children are the future of Stamford,” says Todd Lobraico, association president. “We cannot stress enough the importance of encouraging their education and achievement. I speak for all of our officers when I say that we are proud to continually give back to the community and excited to see the good these students can accomplish.”
Since the backpack program was initiated, more than 2,300 have been given to people in the Stamford community, and this year they hope to give away another 500.
For a child to receive a backpack, the child or a family member, must complete an application and receive a ticket. Tickets are available in the Youth Bureau or the Detective Bureau at the station at 805 Bedford St. Tickets are also available at the Salvation Army, located at 198 Selleck St.
Funding for the project was provided by Entenmann’s and First County Bank.
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