San Tan Knights Donate 50 Backpacks to Students in Need

By Carissa Krautscheid 
 
The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for children and parents, with new teachers to meet, new lessons to be learned, and new friendships to forge. However, many families find this time of year challenging with the thought of investing in new school supplies.  
 
Relief was provided by the Knights of Columbus Council 17036 at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in San Tan Valley, Arizona. The Knights raised $1,400 in cash and collected school supplies donated by generous parishioners. Some women of the parish then shopped for additional supplies and assembled 50 complete backpacks and lunch boxes for the parish’s children at the beginning of the school year. Supplies were distributed based on grade requirements provided by the local elementary and middle schools. 
 
“The backpacks were received with great satisfaction and relief by the different families,” said the Council’s Grand Knight, Scott Robert. “All were overly thankful, and their children were very happy with the many different styles of backpacks to choose from. Everyone treated this event from the heart to help the children of our community.” 
 
After such a successful event, the Knights at St. Michael are planning on repeating this initiative each year. “We feel this is a necessary commitment to our parish and community,” said Robert. 
  
“The Knights of Columbus are thankful to the women who volunteered their time, shopping for supplies, packing the bags according to grade and were conscientious about the backpacks for the different age groups. They were very thoughtful and caring to make sure everything was precise for our children.”