Free Backpacks Given to Students in Marlborough

As students file in for their first day of school in Marlborough and surrounding areas, many will be walking in with backpacks and school supplies donated to them through the United Way of Tri-County’s 2013 Toolz for School Backpack Program.

The program will distribute more than 850 backpacks this year, according to the Volunteer Coordinator Barbara LaGrenade. As school wound up in the area, WCVB-TV Co-Anchor Bianca de la Garza was on hand to help distribute them.

"Kids have to be excited about going back to school. If we can get them a great backpack and get them walking down the hall feeling empowered like they can do anything, that is the kind of message we want kids to walk into school with," said de la Garza. 

The United Way of Tri-County partners with community organizations from along the MetroWest/495Corridor to gather backpacks and supplies and distribute them. The backpacks will be distributed throughout area communities including Framingham, Hopkinton, Holliston, Westborough, Northborough, Medfield, Milford and Medway.

Each backpack is created with a specific child in mind, combining grade appropriate school supplies with designs for the age group. Community groups and businesses come together to create and distribute each bag.