OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Everything kids need for their first day of school was up for grabs Saturday morning at the Big Brothers Big Sisters backpack giveaway and picnic.
"It's fun to pick a backpack," Erin Burke, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands said. "I remember doing that when I was a kid."
Organizers centered the whole event around fun, offering free food and games for volunteer Bigs and their Littles to check out.
With so many kids facing ongoing challenges in the classroom, Burke said giving them a positive start is important.
"These last few years have been a little bit crazy," she said. "Just a lot of changes."
Little Sister Itzelle Diaz is heading into the 7th grade this year, at a new school, her Big Sister Haley helped her pick out a new backpack at the event.
Now that she's all geared up for school, Itzelle plans to focus on doing well in the classroom. She wants to work on studying and taking notes in class.
Stories like hers are what it’s all about for BBBS staff.
"When kids go back to school not only do they have a mentor to support them, they also have some school supplies so that they’re set up for academic success," Burke said.
About 150 backpacks were given away at Saturday’s event, KPMG and Atlas Med Staff helped stuff them all with school supplies.
RELATED: KPMG stuffs backpacks for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
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