Citizens Bank Distributing Backpacks

is distributing 3,000 new backpacks filled with pens, pencils, notebooks, erasers, rulers and more to school children across New Hampshire through its Gear for Grades program. The public was encouraged to donate new school supplies at any Citizens Bank branch in the state. Gear for Grades was organized in partnership with , 95.7 WZID, and the Union Leader.

Joe Carelli, president of Citizens Bank New Hampshire, said the program was an overwhelming success, collecting more than 33,800 new items for kids to take to school with them. The backpacks, donated by the Citizens Bank Foundation and filled with the donated supplies, will be distributed to children statewide through Child and Family Services beginning today, Aug. 20. 

“I want to thank everyone who made a donation to Gear for Grades to help ensure that New Hampshire children have the basic tools they need to learn and succeed in school,” said Carelli. “A record number of items were donated this year, and we are very proud to make a difference for families by providing these backpacks. I also want to thank Child and Family Services, WZID, and the Union Leader for helping make this program a great success.”

According to a National Retail Federation survey, the average American family spent $603 in 2011 on back-to-school expenses. For low-income, at-risk or homeless families, the cost of even basic school supplies can be a burden. 

This year, more than 37,000 backpacks will be distributed to children across RBS Citizens Financial Group’s footprint, where it operates as Citizens Bank in the Mid-Atlantic and New England and Charter One in the Midwest. Since 2003, Gear for Grades has provided more than 200,000 children with new backpacks and school supplies.