School board member Gloria Dent said that she was amazed by the turnout for last Saturday's Backpack Giveaway for children attending school in the Meade Feeder. The event, now in its third year, was held at Van Bokkelen Elementary School in Severn.
Dent said that the crowd was much larger than last year and attributed the turnout to tightening finances for families. "We had the same great partners as last year. We added a few wrinkles this year like the food truck but the turnout was a surprise. We still gave away over 1,000 backpacks to help families stretch their dollars this year. There is a lot of need out there for basic supplies. I'm happy our team of collaborators and community leaders were able to step up and help out."
The event was once again co-sponsored by Delegate Mike Rogers and Council Chair Pete Smith. Anne Arundel County Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell and school board members Joanne Tobin and Robert Silkworth also attended the giveaway.
Dent, who runs iCommunity Connection Services, a 501(c3) founded to support children and veterans, says the giveaway is just a start and that there is more work to be done in the Meade High School Feeder. "Our kids still need the community's support. Everyone stepped up this year and I'm happy to see the collaboration. I appreciate everyone from Delta Sigma Theta, the health department, Alpha Phi Alpha, police, fellow veterans, and the Sigmas. There are lots of organizations to thank. It's so very important to continue to rally around all of the schools in our feeder," said Dent.
The event was so successful that Anne Arundel County Schools has expressed an interest in formally partnering with the giveaway next year. Council Chair Pete Smith welcomed news of the additional collaboration. "I've represented this area for a long time so it's great to see these collaborations continue especially now that we have other assets like the new Severn Intergenerational Center. This is great for the community. Thanks to everyone involved and thanks to Ms. Dent for leading this work!."