Sheriff’s Office offering free backpacks to local students

VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – School starts next week, and if you haven’t had the time to go back to school shopping, you can pick up some free supplies after Labor Day.

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies parked their patrol cars outside of the Walmart in Vestal, and filled up the trunk with backpacks for local students.

The Sheriff’s Office purchased 50 backpacks at Walmart this morning and filled them with all the supplies you’d need on your first day of class. Such as pens, pencils, binders, glue sticks, folders, crayons, and more. All of the backpacks and supplies will be available at the Big Dipper 2 in Conklin on Tuesday.

John Mclaughlin works with the Sheriff’s Office, and says the fundraiser is focusing on students in rural areas, such as Harpursville Windsor, Deposit and Susquehanna Valley.

“There’s a lot of kids out there that their parents are really busting it to try and get back to school supplies and just can’t make the ends meet. So, that’s where we come in to help these families. There’s no registration no nothing, just simply drive on out, see one of us, and get your school supplies,” said Mclaughlin.

The Sheriff’s Office received 50 backpacks from Blue Sisters National and an additional 50 bags from BAE Systems.

Tuesday’s backpack giveaway will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

If you want to donate school supplies yourself, there’s a donation box at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.

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