By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
A slow, steady flow of people came to First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall, Thursday morning for the first day of the Backpack for Kids distribution.
During the first day, families that had previously signed up had the opportunity to receive backpacks filled with school supplies, along with hygiene items and hear about local services from organizations such as the Hays Public Library.
Ryan Cunningham, Hays, who attended the event with his daughters, was grateful for the service.
"It's awesome," Cunningham said. "It's a good thing, especially with everything that is going on. It's very nice to be able to come down and do something like this."
He said the program gave his children even more than just supplies but also a sense of excitement for the upcoming school year.
"It's a huge help," Cunningham said. "They did this last year as well, and the girls were so excited. It actually gets this little one excited for her first big school."
And he hopes that anyone in need takes advantage of the program during the second day of distribution.
"There are probably some people that don't know about this going on, but I hope they have a great turnout because they work so hard to getting this together," Cunningham said. "It's absolutely a godsend for some people."
Around 400 bags were prepared for the first day to accommodate those who signed up in advance.
"It's been a lot slower than in past years, but it's been a nice steady flow," said Laura Shoaff, First Call for Help project coordinator.
In previous years, she said lines would form outside the building, but signups were down this year.
However, she said there had been an increase in phone calls about the event's second day, leading her to believe Friday's distribution may draw a crowd.
"If they didn't get signed up by July 26, then they can come tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.," Shoaff said. "As long as they live in Ellis County and they go to school in Ellis County, they can also sign up to get a backpack that day."
She said they plan on distributing at least 200 more backpacks Friday.
"They will just come in and register at the front door and we will send them on to whatever grade of backpack that they need to be looking for," Shoaff said.
Backpacks not distributed will then be made available later.
"And then we will also have the backpacks that are leftover at First Call for Help," she said. "So if they are not able to come in (Thursday) or (Friday,) they can always give us a call and come by and pick one up then."
Making this year's event possible, Shoaff said they received numerous donations, as well as a $1,5000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.
"They helped pay for all of the shampoo and soap that will be going into the hygiene bags," she said.
Delta Dental also provided dental kits that were distributed to each participant.
"Every person that comes through here will get a hygiene bag to start the school year off with," she said.
While everyone on Thursday received extra items like the hygiene kits, Friday's distribution will be first come-first served until items run out.
But she said even those supplies can be found after the event if needed.
"They can always stop in First Call for Help next week and we can help get them those supplies too," Shoaff said.
