Back to school fair donates hundreds of school supplies to needy families

Published 4:23 pm Friday, August 28, 2015

The Bremerton School District hosted its annual Back to School Fair and Fun Run at Mountain View Middle School Aug. 26.

Hundreds of people waited in a line that wrapped around the building.

About 840 people signed up to receive a bag of school supplies including notebooks, pencils, markers and scissors.

The district worked for five months to collect more than 1,000 bags — double the amount of last year’s fair. “It just goes to show how many families are in need,” said Patty Glaser, the district’s community relations coordinator. There were 100-150 bags left over, which will be provided to the schools, Glaser said.

Volunteers passed out backpacks to people in need. “I’m just so appreciative of everyone who donated time,” said Assistant Superintendent Lynn Caddell. “So many people donated. It is unreal.”

More than a dozen local businesses were on-hand supporting the fair. This was the first year the school has hosted the event at Mountain View. The fair outgrew its previous location, Evergreen Rotary Park. This was also the first year in which is was co-sponsored by Abundant Life Foursquare Church and Bremerton Schools & Alumni Association.

The fair even had a 5K race with about 20 runners, ranging in age from young children to seniors.

The new school year starts Sept. 2.