New Hampshire Education Department Hosts 7th Summer Backpack Drive

CONCORD, NH — For the seventh time, education officials in New Hampshire, as well as their community partners and others, like state employees, will be collecting backpacks for students in need.

The New Hampshire Department of Education backpack drive started Thursday. The effort was spearheaded by Diana Fenton, an attorney for the department, in order to give back to those in need. Hundreds of backpacks are donated and then provided to school nurses for distribution to students who may need them.

“There are many families throughout the state that simply cannot afford to purchase a backpack for their child,” she said. “We want to make sure that every child can start the new school year with a fresh start and a new backpack.”

Backpacks can be dropped off at the department’s temporary offices, located at 25 Hall St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Officials are asking anyone dropping off a backpack to contact Natasha Lupiani at 603-271-3196 before arriving at the front entrance of the Hall Street location. The department will be accepting backpacks through Aug. 12.

For more information, contact Diana Fenton at 603-271-3189 or diana.fenton@doe.nh.gov.

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