Local family mission gives out over 500 backpacks

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Hundreds of students are now better prepared to tackle the school year thanks to a backpack giveaway in Warren.

Children could take their pick from an assortment of colors and backpack designs at the Warren Family Mission Friday.

Zane Hatfield is glad he got what he wanted.

“I chose this bookbag because I love the color red and it just came up to my mind,” he said.

Over 500 backpacks were available for families along with school supplies to fill them up.

“So it’s especially important to give our kids the tools that they need to be successful because they are the future of our community,” said Dom Mararri, Warren Family Mission director.

The Warren Family Mission backpack giveaway has been happening for about ten years.

Virginia Ellison remembers bringing her five-year-old to one of the first events and now he’s fifteen. This year again, it was still necessary.

“We were just going to buy him one but tax-free week hit at a bad time between pays. So this is important,” Ellison said.

Over 100 volunteers were helping from places like Ultium Cells, Novelis, church groups, the STEAM Academy, and the UAW.

The mission wants to make a difference one life at a time but it can’t do that without help.

“We had went out and bought over $12,000 worth of book bags in the areas that we lack, that didn’t come in on donation, and that’s only possible by the generosity of our community,” Mararri said.

The backpacks were for children in grades K through 12. It was the second year the Warren Family Mission had over 500 backpacks to give away.

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