POCATELLO — Students across the Gate City area from elementary to high school can load up with free backpacks and school supplies provided by Grace Lutheran at the annual Back 2 School Giveaway on Aug. 3.
Founded over 10 years ago by Pastor Josh Robinson of the Gate City Christian Church, the giveaway has provided thousands of backpacks and school supplies for low-income families or anyone in need. In previous years, attendees have camped out overnight to receive the free school supplies, which can make a huge difference in the lives of the young students and their families.
“We helped about 1,200 kids last year,” said Jonathan Dinger, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church. “At its height, they’ve served 2,000 kids. We’re hoping to keep building it back up and this year we’re planning to help 1,500 kids, if we’re able to. That gets them a year’s worth of school supplies and a backpack. We (also) have other agencies and community services, health and safety, food that is also there, mental health services and a whole bunch of things that families can engage with as well.”
Dinger continued, “It’s a backpack full of stuff. It’s everything from scissors and glue sticks to calculators, rulers, pencil cases, pencils and dry erase markers. There’s erasers and folders and notebook paper. It’s a whole boatload of stuff.”
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Mountain View Event Center, or MEC, local residents can receive a bounty of school necessities provided absolutely free of charge.
This year patrons of the giveaway can essentially skip the lines by registering on a numbered card at the event. Announcers will use a PA system to call up families and individuals in an orderly manner, so no one will have to stand in line and they can interact at the event without worrying about keeping their spot. The giveaway will also be held inside the MEC so attendees can beat the summer heat in a cool and comfortable space.
It costs organizers about $25 to purchase and fill a backpack and about two-thirds of all the funding comes from Grace Lutheran and its church extension fund. Barrie’s Ski and Sports will be donating a mountain bike as part of a raffle, Rich Broadcasting will be assisting with announcements and music. Hirning Auto Group have also helped with the cause.
“People give 100 bucks or 1,000 bucks or 25 bucks, and we just keep buying backpacks of supplies for people,” Dinger said. “In large part, it’s our members and individuals in our community that want to see this succeed.”
For anyone interested in donating their time and providing assistance at the giveaway they can contact Grace Lutheran in advance and be included in the volunteer team. Anyone interested in supporting monetarily to the cause can donate directly by writing a check to Grace Lutheran for Back 2 School and those funds will be used for next year’s giveaway.
“I think it’s important to note we do this because we’re Christians and when people are in need, we can’t ignore that need,” Dinger said. “Whether it’s helping the food bank or Valley Mission, helping people fix their cars, or helping people in need, this is a way we can help a lot of families and provide school supplies. We want kids to succeed in school and we do it because we have a big school here at Grace.”
He continued, “Education and giving kids a chance to have a great education is huge for us as part of our mission as a church because we think well-educated kids and families in our community blesses everybody. We do this and we don’t charge anybody a nickel. We give it all away because we’ve received so much, spiritually speaking, that’s why we do it. We do it because we’ve been given much and we want to give back.”
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