Back-to-School Backpack
Night
By Paris Dunning, LSS Volunteer Coordinator
LSS Housing Services staff in
Minneapolis and their volunteer team celebrated the start of the 2005-2006
school year with a big party for families served by LSS and others in the
immediate neighborhood at 24th Street and Park Avenue. Surviving the
summer and successfully getting all your ducks in a row is a major
accomplishment. Many of our families agree. About 200 people attended the
August 31 event. Ultimately, 300 school backpacks, brimming with school
supplies, were given to kids as they prepared for another school year.
In addition to distributing
the school backpacks, the celebration emphasized the strength and positive
aspects of families and communities. Families were able to take a family
photo and make a picture frame to mark the occasion. The Minneapolis Fire
Department brought a fire truck, which the kids toured. There was an
inflatable bouncing machine, in the form of a giant Dalmatian, that had a
tremendous following. Plus, there were hot dogs, watermelon and all other
parts of a perfect picnic. Providing a venue for families to meet others,
relax, and have a good time is part of that vision of family success and
stability. Inviting them to take part in shaping these gatherings is the
next step. Several families have expressed interest in doing just that.
Backpacks were donated by
businesses, individuals and area churches, including Shepherd of the
Valley - Apple Valley, Mt. Olivet - Minneapolis, Bethlehem - Minneapolis,
Lord of Life - Maple Grove, Wells-Fargo, and Michael Foods, Inc. Sponsors
for the event included: Whole Foods, B&B Inflatables, Costco, Rainbow
Foods, and Linden Hills Coop.
