For the second year in a row, Teen Central will host an initiative aimed at supporting students in the Manheim Central School District. The organization, located at 15 S. Wolf St., Manheim, will host Pack-A-Backpack Day, when students in kindergarten through grade 12 who live within the district's confines will be invited to pick up school supplies and personal hygiene items. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 4 and 5.

"After doing a little research, I discovered that back-to-school shopping is suggested to be the second-largest spend for families annually behind the holidays," said Janelle Heying, executive director of Teen Central. "Many families spend over $50 per child on school supplies alone, and that doesn't include other back-to-school items like clothing, shoes, basic hygiene supplies or required uniforms or technology for some grade levels. To think of the financial burden this may place on some families during a time of year when excitement should be in the air is saddening, and here at Teen Central we would like to help!"

During the two-hour time slots either day, students, accompanied by their parents or guardians, can bring their own backpacks if they have them to Teen Central to fill with items, including pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, folders, rulers, scissors, shampoo, body wash, tissues, hand sanitizer and more.

"Last year it was our goal to provide free school supplies and hygiene items to approximately 200 students across all grade levels, and this year we are aiming even higher," Heying said. "At our 2024 Pack-A-Backpack-Day event, we served over 150 students, and now with new community partnerships, we are hoping to serve even more."

New this year, Teen Central will also provide free backpacks to any student who needs one.

"Last year we did not advertise a backpack giveaway, but it clearly was a need within our community," Heying noted. "We ended up handing out 35 free backpacks, so our goal this year is to have enough to give a new backpack to every student who comes to this event."

All items to fill the backpacks will be laid out on tables throughout Teen Central's main gathering room, with a suggested quantity to take noted for each item. If a school list requires more than the suggested quantity, students are welcome to take as many as they need, Heying said.

"We ask that people enter through our front door, and then we have a sign-in sheet for us to be able to track how many people we served and how many supplies we gave away," she explained. "Students and parents can go through our room assembly line-style and pick which items they would like to take. At the end of the line, we have free snow cones and other goodies to give away before families leave."

Heying said she was impressed by the community response to the program last year in terms of gathering items to donate.

"One of my favorite things about Manheim is the way that our town rallies around and supports needs in our community," she stated, noting that donations have provided backpacks in a variety of colors and designs for students of all ages. "The support and financial generosity that continues to pour in surrounding Pack-A-Backpack Days continues to blow me away!" She expressed gratitude toward individuals, small businesses, community groups and churches who have helped to cover the cost of the entire event.

During the school year, Teen Central provides free programs and activities with a Christian focus to youths in the community. The Pack-A-Backpack event helps the organization fulfill its mission of supporting local families.

"We understand that there is a lot that comes along with back-to-school shopping to excel during the school year. The cost can pile up quick," Heying said. "Through Pack-A-Backpack Day, Teen Central hopes that we are able to give local families a head start with their back-to-school needs. We encourage people to attend to see what items may be helpful in checking some objects off of their shopping lists."

For more information on Teen Central, visit https://teencentralmanheim.org.