Back To School Backpack Giveaway Set For Aug. 20 In Temple Hills

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The annual Pull-Up Pick Up Back To School Backpack Giveaway will take place Aug. 20 at Crossland High School, 6901 Temple Hill Rd. in Temple Hills.

Organized by the Crossland High School Dance Company, students, staff, MJC at Rosecroft, Coalition of Concerned Black Christian Men of Prince George's county Maryland, NewBirth Missionary Church Global Missions, Wanda's Hope Klozet Community Development Corporation and other partners, hundreds of new school supplies will be donated to local families in this drive-up event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Our mission, passion and purpose for the backpack giveaway event is to help the community. We know that more and more citizens of this area are struggling, and we want to alleviate those burdens, even if it is just a little bit. We have a strong community presence in the county and we want to make sure we are moving forward in a positive direction for the students and their families. Throughout the school year, we give out backpacks and coats to those who are less fortunate and may need a hand up. We also try and provide shoes for those in need. We try to instill in the students community responsibilities and volunteering as a way to help others feel good and also to get a deeper understanding of self confidence in themselves to know that someone was helped out of the kindness and love of their hearts. We try to feed the community as well during the holiday season," Wanda J. Knotts, Wanda's Hope Klozet founder and CEO, said.

Organizers still are accepting the following new items for the drive: backpacks, pencils, pens, packs of crayons, blunt scissors, packs of looseleaf paper, composition books, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, pocket folders, notebooks and black socks. Items can be dropped off through Aug. 19 at the main office of Crossland High School between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.