PEORIA, Ill. – Saturday morning, Dream Center Peoria will be giving away around 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to families needing a little help.
Director of Development Denise Bailey tells WMBD’s Phil Luciano there’s much more to “Backpack Peoria” than just backpacks.
“Dental exams, school physicals on site. We have medical professionals and dentists and their staff doing this. And, we have books to give away, but then there’s also an expo where we have 25 to 35 partner agencies,” Bailey says.
The goal of “Backpack Peoria”, Bailey says, is to provide everything students in Peoria need to head back to the classroom, taking the burden off their parents’ shoulders.
“It’s that piece of dignity that we are always wanting to give away to everyone we serve. Giving them that so that they feel better about themselves,” Bailey says.
The 24th “Backpack Peoria” event runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, but families are advised to get in line early. The backpacks are given away on a first come, first serve basis.
Learn more about “Backpack Peoria” HERE.
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