The Salvation Army and Denver7 Bring Back Pack A Backpack
DENVER, COLORADO (July 1, 2024) – The Salvation Army is partnering again this year with Denver7 and Les
Schwab Tire Centers to help ensure the upcoming school year is the best school year for thousands of
children across the Denver Metro area. The campaign goal: Equip 4,000 students with backpacks filled
with new supplies. Last year, Pack A Backpack distributed 3,800 backpacks to students in need.
Donate here: Pack A Backpack
“Education is the cornerstone of our nation’s future,” said Major Nesan Kistan, Divisional Commander of
The Salvation Army Intermountain Division. “Ensuring that every child has access to positive learning
experiences and providing essential resources, like backpacks, is more crucial today than ever before.”
The Pack A Backpack drive begins July 5 and continues through the month. Backpacks will be distributed
to students on Aug. 2 at the Aurora Corps and the Centennial Corps. (Registration is required; please see
below.)
The public may donate school supplies at any Les Schwab Tire Centers location or online at
PackaBackpack.org. Supplies needed this year include backpacks, crayons, washable markers, colored
pencils, #2 pencils, erasers, supply boxes, scissors, glue, folders, notebooks, rulers and hand sanitizer.
Financial contributions also are welcome. A contribution of $25 provides one supplies-filled backpack for
a student in need.
“As a news station, we see first-hand the challenges our community faces,” said Brian Joyce, vice
president and general manager of Denver7. “Pack A Backpack gives us an opportunity to bring the
community together to help solve some of those challenges. We’re committed to making a difference and
standing up for what’s right in our community. We are proud to continue our partnership with The
Salvation Army and Les Schwab Tire Centers to ensure all students have the tools they need to succeed in
school this year.”
The annual Pack A Backpack program serves families who are struggling financially. More than 133,000
children under the age of 18 are experiencing poverty in Colorado, according to the 2022 U.S. Census.
Every year, these families and more struggle to pay for school supplies, which are critical to a student’s
success.
To sign up for the Pack A Backpack program, families are advised to contact The Salvation Army Corps
or Service Center nearest them. Find a list of participating locations online at SalArmy.us/Backpack2024.
About The Salvation Army USA
The Salvation Army (TSA) annually helps nearly 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and
economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency
relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, and
clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000
centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit TSA Intermountain Division or
SalvationArmyUSA.org.