Did you hear about the backpacking party in Lynnwood? Heres what you missed

Washington Kids hosted its annual backpacking party on August 10, with a goal of assembling 750 backpacks for low-income and McKinney-Vento students in the Edmonds School District. Volunteers worked tirelessly to fill each backpack with essential school supplies, demonstrating the community's commitment to supporting students in need. Executive Director Kim Gorney emphasized that every child deserves equal opportunities, while School Board Member Thom Garrard highlighted the importance of addressing barriers that students experiencing housing insecurity face. The backpacks will be distributed on August 14 at Meadowdale High School, ensuring that students have the supplies necessary for academic success. In addition to the backpack program, Washington Kids provides critical resources such as motel vouchers and emergency food to families facing homelessness.

For the 2024-25 school year, approximately 44. 4% of students in the district were identified as low-income, with 2. 9% classified as unhoused. The event illustrates how community efforts can positively impact students' educational experiences and well-being. Local resources for food, clothing, and shelter are available through 211 services.