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‘This is the bulk of what we need’: School disruptions don’t hinder Salvation Army effort to hand out backpacks, supplies

At the annual Salvation Army backpack giveaway Wednesday, 7-year-old Ezra Rogers excitedly points out the backpack he wants to volunteer Carlos Cortez in the parking lot of the Spokane Fair & Expo Center. Each backpack contained school supplies appropriate for the age of the child. The Salvation Army, with a large donation from Cenex stores, gave out thousands of backpacks in drive-through fashion Wednesday. Cortez was part of a volunteer group from Fairchild Air Force Base. (Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review)
By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com

Nothing says back to school like a new backpack, even if goes no farther than the kitchen table.

Children’s eyes lit up by the thousands on Wednesday morning at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center, where the Salvation Army conducted its 11th annual Backpacks for Kids.

Forced by social-distancing requirements to move the event away from its north Spokane headquarters, the Salvation Army found a willing host at the Fairgrounds parking lot, where business was as brisk as the weather.

At the annual Salvation Army backpack giveaway, volunteer Shelby Coates, right, holds up a unicorn-themed backpack which doesn’t thrill three-year-old Matthew Jordan, left, but pleases his sister, five-year-old Adelina Jordan sitting in the far back seat of the car in the parking lot of the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. Each backpack contained school supplies appropriate for the age of the child. The Salvation Army, with a large donation from Cenex stores, gave out thousands of backpacks in drive-through fashion Wednesday. Dozens of volunteers helped distribute the backpacks. (Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review)
At the annual Salvation Army backpack giveaway, volunteer Shelby Coates, right, holds up a unicorn-themed backpack which doesn’t thrill three-year-old Matthew Jordan, left, but pleases his sister, five-year-old Adelina Jordan sitting in the far back seat of the car in the parking lot of the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. Each backpack contained school supplies appropriate for the age of the child. The Salvation Army, with a large donation from Cenex stores, gave out thousands of backpacks in drive-through fashion Wednesday. Dozens of volunteers helped distribute the backpacks. (Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo

By noon, hundreds of vehicles had snaked their way past hundreds of volunteers in the biggest drive-thru event in Spokane this year.

Children got the backpack of their choice along with school supplies such as pencils and hygiene products.

The bags also contained information on low-cost resources.

“Some of these kids have never sat in a dentist’s chair before,” Major Ken Perine said.

Parents felt relief even as they pulled out of the parking lot.

“We still need to get some extra stuff, but this is the bulk of what we need,” said Mickinzie Willis, who drove up in an SUV with four children of her own, plus a nephew.

“It means a lot,” Willis said.

Moments later, Amanda Aguilera said she was grateful to get some aid for her three kids.

“The Salvation Army is an amazing resource,” Aguilera said.

Resourceful, too, as Perine and his staff made this happen despite the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 400 volunteers donned masks and gloves and hustled to give out the supplies as cars moved through three lines.

They got help from Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward, gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

“The idea is the move people through rapidly,” said Perine, who wishes there was more to give, such as calculators or internet hotspots.

“It’s going to be tough for parents this year, because most have never taught before,” Perine said. “But we just want to make sure that kids stay organized, so that a parent can make that place at home a special place to learn.”

The event was backed by Cenex/Zip Trip, which contributed $31,000 toward backpacks along with a staff of volunteers.

By the end of the day, 3,138 backpacks had been distributed.

Families who needed backpacks but couldn’t attend may pick them up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at The Salvation Army’s Family Resource Center at 204 E. Indiana Ave.