Back to backpacks

Just in time for the first day of school, the Salvation Army Glendale Corps and BB&T-Knight Insurance Services combined Friday afternoon to issue 150 backpacks laden with school supplies to local students in need.

“A lot of these children are from lower-income families or maybe their parents are working multiple jobs,” said Julyne Sales, youth program director with the Salvation Army. “To get that extra help, just knowing that somebody cares for them, too, is awesome.”

Workers at BBT’s 38-person Glendale office took two hours to hand out the gear, help cook up hot dogs and supervise games at the Salvation Army community center. This is the second straight year BBT has pitched in for children selected from struggling families served by the Salvation Army, YWCA and New Horizons Family Center.

“With so many people out of work right now, I know it is a struggle for many people to put food on the table, much less buy school supplies,” said Salvation Army Capt. Rio Ray. “When you go in without the basic equipment, it is really hard to succeed at school. This gives these kids a chance to prosper.”