Fall River Rotarians recently held their annual backpack and school supply drive and donated 120 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to the local community in need. These backpacks were filled with a variety of school supplies including everything from notebooks to colored pencils and everything in between that children would need for school. These 120 backpacks were disbursed among 3 local non-profit organizations: Family Service Association, Child and Family Services, and United Neighbors of Fall River. Donations were collected at BayCoast Bank locations and the Rotary Club of Fall River donated nearly $800 to purchase the backpacks and remaining supplies needed.

At their weekly meeting on August 4^th, Rotarians formed an assembly line, filling the backpacks with the supplies. Trish Robertson, this year’s President, stated that she was “so impressed with the generosity of the community and the Rotarians. Whenever we ask for help to assist the greater Fall River community, whether through donations or volunteering, we always receive a generous response.” Wendy Garf-Lipp, Executive Director of United Neighbors of Fall River, went on to say that because of these donations, children living in vulnerable situations will proudly show off their new backpacks and school supplies their first day of school. Members of the Fall River Rotary Club are proud to be able to work with these great community organizations to both fill the backpacks and get them distributed to those children that need them the most.