Demand was higher than expected for the backpacks of school supplies provided to children in 91原创 School District schools.

鈥淲e probably have about 900,鈥� said Andrea Voss, family services co-ordinator with the Gateway of Hope. 鈥淥ur projection was 800 to 850.鈥�

The annual Gateway school supply drive ran during summer before most children鈥檚 thoughts turned to notions of classrooms, pencil shavings and the months of learning ahead.

In addition to donations of supplies and money from the public, the program receives support from various local churches and many congregation members volunteer to help when it comes time in late August to fill the backpacks with school supplies.

On Aug. 31, more volunteers joined with some Gateway staff to add age-appropriate toiletry parcels to the backpacks before volunteer drivers, with lists of addresses, spread out to deliver the backpacks to families struggling financially.

Voss said it鈥檚 all worth it when they receive feedback from the families, whether that鈥檚 excited youngsters on the doorstep receiving their school supplies, or feedback from the parents.

鈥淚t just relieves a lot of their stresses,鈥� she said.

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鈥� READ MORE: Learn more about the school supply drive

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