St. John's Episcopal Church and partners provide filled backpacks and

FALLBROOK – Nearly 400 students from needy families received filled backpacks and a free new book Saturday, July 28, at a distribution party at the Fallbrook Food Pantry. The Backpack Project is sponsored by St. John's Episcopal Church, but many community businesses, organizations and individual volunteers pitch in to help, (see thank-you ad on this page).

"The main fundraiser is St. John's annual Luau for Backpacks, which was a rousing success – and a lot of work," Outreach Chair Michael McCormick said. "But this makes it all worthwhile."

He gestured toward the hundreds of young boys and girls happily hugging their new backpacks, investigating the contents and picking out one of the new books spread out on four tables.

New Pantry Chairperson Shae Gawlak pointed out that backpacks can be a considerable expense for families with several children.

"Even on sale," she said. "Backpacks are usually around $50 apiece, not counting the contents, and kids need new shoes and clothes, too, for the first day of school. So, we're really happy to help these families so the kids can do well in their studies."

At the distribution party, a crew of volunteers from both St. John's and the Food Pantry checked registration data and gave out the packs to eager children, while others served snacks and a DJ provided bouncy music to enliven the scene.

"We enjoy this project enormously," the Rev. Leland Jones, rector of St. John's church, said. "We're already looking forward to next year's luau."

St. John's Episcopal is at 434 N. Iowa St.. For more information about the church and its activities, call (760) 728-2908, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Press release submitted by St. John's Episcopal Church.