Markers, glue, notebooks and erasers. The school supply list goes on and on. For many families, it's a financial struggle to pay for it all.
"It's tough making ends meet with everything going up except your wage," says Lee Larsen of Acts 1:8 Ministry.
The Green Bay based non-profit organization is teaming up with Woodland Church in Hobart for its annual school supply giveaway. Church member Jaime Wasserman is donating her time to help children in need.
"I'm going to cry," she said with tears welling up. "I used to be one of those kids. My mom was a single mom and just anyone who took that time to help us in any way, just you never forget it."
Jaime has her 11-year-old daughter, Eden, helping with the effort. "You know when you're young, we kind of focus on ourselves, and as early as we can to get them outside of that mindset to help your neighbor, your brother or sister, your community, it's just very important."
Acts 1:8 started handing out school supplies in plastic bags 10 years ago. This year, the items will come in donated backpacks, thanks to a partnership with Heartland Church in Decatur, Illinois. They're sending 120 filled backpacks and 20 youth volunteers to Green Bay for distribution day.
Jaime says, "Yes it's a backpack, but the feeling that child is going to get is so much more than just a backpack. It's just the love, and you matter. We care about you."
Larsen believes our kids need this message now more than ever. "We're going to have the scripture, the New Testament go with and a little message from the Lord kind of loving on these children, saying I love you and desire a close relationship."
With local donations included, about 250 children in need will benefit from the backpack giveaway, giving them the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. It's Jaime's way of paying it forward.
"Their families may be in a hard season right now. We all go through hard seasons. You're going to get through this, and you have a community here to help you."
The backpack giveaway is happening Saturday, August 6th at 11:00am at Copps Food Center on Green Bay's west side. The school supplies will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. Anyone is welcome.
Copps Food Center - Green Bay West
1291 Lombardi Access Road
