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 697 children in 2022. 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 and hygiene kits so they can start their school year off on the best foot possible.

This year's event will be taking place on Saturday, August 5th at Silver Creek Church from 9:00AM - 11:00AM. No pre-registration is required. Supplies are limited but we will do our best to help each family.

There are plenty of ways you can be involved! Volunteers are needed in the weeks leading up to Backpack SOS to sort, count and pack supplies and hygiene kits. 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.

Involvement goes beyond volunteering! You can be involved by donating backpacks and school supplies. We have a wish list set up with Amazon. Other sites and items will be added throughout the month. Please check these sites for ideas or if you prefer to shop online. Still not sure what to buy? Then visit our Give Page and choose Backpack S.O.S. when you give online. Backpack S.O.S. 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 and hygiene kit items. If you are interested in supporting this year's event through monetary donations, in-kind donations or gift cards like our 2022 supporters, please email kay@silvercreekchurch.org or call the church office at 906.249.1715.

2022 Backpack SOS Supporters

• The Community Foundation of Marquette County
• Superiorland Equipment & Tool Rental
• AMVETS Post 122
• Kerber Rose Wealth Management
• Michigan Dental Association & Marquette Breakfast Rotary for supporting the hygiene kits

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.