Backpack S.O.S.

The first backpack event held at Silver Creek Church took place in August of 2007. What started as the Silver Creek Neighborhood Block Party where children in need from across Marquette County and parts of Alger County received backpacks and school supplies quickly grew into an event that also provided clothing and personal hygiene items. Not only have we seen the kind of items we provide change but we have seen the numbers grow from 50 children in 2007 to 918 children in 2024. The circumstances of 2020 caused a shift in how we serve our community. What was once a walk-thru event became a drive-thru event. Adjustments to the look and the name have not changed the mission of our back-to-school event. Backpack S.O.S. (Support Our Students) still desires to help provide children and their families with backpacks, school supplies, clothing vouchers, socks and oral hygiene products so they can start their school year off with a few less things to worry about.

This year's event will take place on Saturday, August 16th. Last August, a record 918 children received back-to-school items! We were blown away by the need, the support and simply the way God showed up to help us help others! We're looking forward to all that God will do at this year's event.

There are plenty of ways to be involved - even after the event is over! Volunteers are needed in the weeks leading up to Backpack SOS to sort, count and pack supplies, socks, and hygiene products. Volunteers on the day of our event are needed to help in our parking lot, to register guests, help children pick out backpacks and distribute school supplies. After the event volunteers are welcome to help register families who were unable to come on Saturday.

Involvement goes beyond volunteering! You can be involved by donating backpacks and school supplies. We have wish lists set up with Amazon, Dollar Days, and Walmart. The links are also listed below. You check these sites for ideas or if to shop online with the purchases shipped directly to the church. Please keep in mind that the lists on these sites will be updated throughout the year. Still not sure what to buy? Gift cards to Amazon, Walmart and Target are helpful as well. You can also visit our Give Page and choose Backpack S.O.S. when you give online. Backpack SOS is part of our Kingdom Builders giving.

Each year we seek grants and support from our local community to help offset the costs of buying quality backpacks, school supplies, socks and hygiene products. If you are interested in supporting this year's event through monetary donations, in-kind donations or Amazon, Target or Walmart gift cards. Please email kay@silvercreekchurch.org or call the church office at 906.249.1715 if you need more information about joining our list of supporters below.

2024 Backpack SOS Supporters

• Community Foundation of Marquette County
• Delta Dental Foundation for toothbrushes, toothpaste & educational materials
• Marquette Noon Rotary
• Silver Creek Thrift
• Sock It To 'Em Sock Campaign
• State Farm Insurance, Kara Applekamp
• Zonta Club of Marquette

We hope that you will take the time to thank our supporters the next time you have the opportunity to do so. We are also very grateful for the number of supporters who wish to remain anonymous.