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 with a few less things to worry about.

This year's event took place on Saturday, August 19th. By the end of August a record 797 children had 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!

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 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. 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 a wish list set up with Amazon and Walmart listed below. 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 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 and hygiene kit items. If you are interested in supporting next year's event (yes we prepare now for next year!) through monetary donations, in-kind donations or Amazon or Walmart gift cards like our 2023 supporters, please email kay@silvercreekchurch.org or call the church office at 906.249.1715.

2023 Backpack SOS Supporters

• Kerber Rose Wealth Management
• Local 4950 Women of Steel
• Silver Creek Thrift
• State Farm, Kara Applekamp
• Suunta Integrated Health
• Tadych's
• TOPS
• Vast
• Zonta Club of Marquette
• 44 North
• Delta Dental Foundation for toothbrushes, toothpaste & educational materials
• Convoy of Hope for the Bomba socks
• United Way of Marquette County for the Bomba socks

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.