Thousands Line Up For Free Backpacks

Families waited in line for hours Saturday morning in Pocatello for backpacks full of free school supplies.

The Gate City Christian Church got the idea to give out backpacks full of school supplies about 5 years ago.

“I’m a school teacher, and I know how expensive the lists are, so we decided that we would put together a backpack with basic supplies to help these families in financial need,? Co-Director of Back To School 2011 Jamie Aubrey said.

When times are tough and some families are struggling to get by, Pastor John Robinson said it’s easy to just preach about charity and love for your fellowman without getting anything done.

“Love should be something that’s tangible and not just words, and we can say we love our community and we want to help, but those are just words. This is a way of showing that we care as a church about our community and we want to make a difference,? Robinson said.

Thousands of people showed up the church Saturday to get a backpack full of help for the school year.

Margarita Salinas and her family showed up at the crack of dawn, hours before the giveaway started, to make sure her kids would go to school on Monday ready to learn.

“They already went two days to school without backpacks and supplies so that’s why we came today,? Salinas said.

She said help like this really makes a difference for struggling families.

“It’s really nice that people like them got together and did this for our community because it really helps,? Salinas said.

The Gate City Christian Church gave out 800 backpacks full of school supplies to kids in need.