The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA is once again partnering with the Salvation Army, United Way of Greater Niagara and the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club to distribute backpacks filled with school supplies.
The draw will take place today from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Members of those organizations will deliver 500 backpacks to local students inside Gate 6, near the Saks Off 5th and Forever 21 stores. Up to 40 volunteers will be on hand to help throughout the day, including Niagara County Peach Queen contestants from this year.
Fashion Outlets marketing manager Sue Swiatkowski said the backpacks will have everything kids need for school, including paper, folders, pens, pencils and highlighters. There will also be different types of backpacks, some simple and others with characters, to appeal to children of all ages.
“Once they’re gone, they’re gone,” he said. “We encourage people to be here closer to one than five.”
Students in pre-K through 12th grade must be present to receive a backpack and it will only be available while supplies last.
Last year, there were 350 backpacks available, with some left over from this year’s drawing. Swiatkowski said this is getting a lot more hype this year, so they hope to give it their all tomorrow.
Also today, a public mural project outside Gate 3, by Chico’s and Old Navy, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Anyone who stops by to pick up a backpack is encouraged to help finish the mural for free. . The theme of the mural is “Kindness Is In Fashion.”
“We’re trying to get people to go to the mall and feel good about going back to school,” Swiatkowski said, and stores in the mall have their own back-to-school sales.
Source: www.niagara-gazette.com