The Salvation Army Backpack Drive raised $850 and received 20 new backpacks this year.
The drive is a partnership between the Salvation Army and Northern Savings Credit Union that began eight years ago. The purpose of the initiative is to assist families in need by providing their children with a backpack to start the school year.
Throughout the month of August, the community was encouraged to contribute a new backpack or a financial donation to the program. Backpacks are then purchased and distributed to children prior to the start of the school year. The program has now helped raise more than $8,000 and 300 backpacks since it began.