Wendy Harper/MDN Jailyn Davis, left, volunteer, helps Natalie Menezes, 10, and her mother Cyara Rodrigues, from left to right, to collect back-to-school supplies at the Minot Salvation Army Saturday, Aug. 16.

Despite a gray and chilly morning, hundreds of families lined up at the Minot Salvation Army on Saturday, Aug. 16, to take part in the annual backpack distribution, an event that provided free school supplies to local children.

The program, supported by the Minot Rotary Club and community partners, collected enough donations to fill 499 backpacks. Families who registered in advance were guided by volunteers as children selected their own backpacks and filled them with grade-specific supplies such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, scissors, and rulers.

“A lot of what we do is to help meet the needs of our people, and I know with the prices of everything being up, this is just one way we can help,” said Lt. Trevor Reed, Corps officer and pastor of Minot’s Salvation Army. “Helping cut costs by providing school supplies for families in need is important to us.”

Reed said the event aimed to ensure that students could start the school year prepared. He noted that more than 300 families were expected to be served.

The families who benefited expressed gratitude, with many saying they are struggling to make ends meet in the economy today, making the donated school supplies a welcomed sigh of relief.

“When kids can go to school with a backpack they chose and with supplies, it’s one way we can help them start off with a strong foot forward,” Reed said. “That helps them continue to grow in their learning.”

The Salvation Army plans to host a coat drive later this fall to provide winter wear for children in need. They are also preparing for the Red Kettle season over the holidays.