'Backpack Attack' Hosted by Church Congregation

A total of 220 children who attend schools and whose families are financially struggling received free backpacks and school supplies on July 30 during the 'Backpack Attack' event hosted by in Wildwood.

Organizers said 425 people attended the event, with children also enjoying bounce houses, crafts, face painting and lunch.

Another 30 completed backpacks will be given to additional Rockwood students in need on the first day of school, Aug. 17. Living Word congregants provided enough backpacks and supplies to ensure that 250 sets could be completed before school starts.

Four collection dates were held at Living Word:  June 19, June 26, July 3 and July 10. Donations included wooden pencils; packs of notebook paper; rulers; crayons; scissors; glue sticks; facial tissue; spiral notebooks; composition notebooks; colored pencils; highlighters; erasers; pocket folders; washable markers; pencil pouches; dry erase markers; hand sanitizer; and new back packs.

Pop-up tents for the event were supplied by , and Calliers restaurant.

West County Rotary members also donated more than $100 worth of school supplies to the effort.

This was the second year that Living Word hosted the Backpack Attack event.

Editor's Note: To protect the privacy of Rockwood School District families, no photos of students who attended this event were published.