FWCS gives 200 backpacks to students in needs

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) 200 students will start the 2012-2013 school year with a new backpack full of new supplies.

Fort Wayne Community Schools employees spent this morning packing the backpacks with all the school essentials, including hygiene products, a book and a stuffed animal for fun.

This is the nineteenth year FWCS has provided this service to students in need. FWCS employees from the Grile Administrative Center, Maintenance & Operations, Media Services, Nutrition Services, South Transportation, Textbook Rental and the Warehouse all participated.

"So this is something that every year we enjoy doing. And we get a lot of help from the community as well. This certainly is not the only back pack project that goes on. There are lots of other companies, businesses, organizations in the community that partner with individual schools and with us as a district, to help kids who need supplies." SAID  Krista Stockman OF Fort Wayne Community Schools. 

Most of the bags and supplies were purchased with money raised throughout the year by employees.

The project also received contributions from Lynn Adams, Max Beyler, Sheri McComb, the Office of Dr. Gary Painter, DDS, Robinson Chapel United Methodist Church, Office Max and memorials made in honor of Sharon Gordon.

As an incentive to donate, employees are able to participate in on casual Fridays every week they donate at least one dollar.                       

FWCS works with a number of other outside organizations to assist the many students in need. Fort Wayne Community Schools is Indiana's second-largest school district with almost 32,000 students.