Heading back to school can be challenging for children from struggling families, as it highlights the disparities in resources. However, this year, more than 100 children and teenagers living in Solid Ground housing received support through community generosity. The “Pack It Forward” initiative resulted in more than 150 backpacks filled with school supplies, along with cash donations that bolster Solid Ground’s programs.

At Sand Point Housing, home to 180 individuals and families affected by homelessness, families explored school supply options before attending a financial education session provided by Chase Bank. They also enjoyed a hamburger lunch from Dick’s Drive-In. Similarly, families at the Broadview Shelter and Transitional Housing, which supports about 100 families escaping homelessness and domestic violence, also received supplies. These efforts created a joyful atmosphere, marking a successful transition into the school year.

The article expresses gratitude to community partners such as the Washington Athletic Club, University District Rotary, and others for their support. It encourages continued involvement, emphasizing that the need persists beyond the start of the school year, and invites contributions to help combat poverty in Seattle and King County.

A young girl with beaded braids shows off new school supplies.
A young girl with beaded braids shows off new school supplies. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A young boy looks at the camera as he tries on a backpack almost as big as he is.
A young boy looks at the camera as he tries on a backpack almost as big as he is. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A woman with green braids and wearing a tie-dyed dress puts her arm around her young son, who has a mock shocked expression on his face.
A woman with green braids and wearing a tie-dyed dress puts her arm around her young son, who has a mock shocked expression on his face. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A small child with his back to the camera shows off his new Minecraft backpack.
A small child with his back to the camera shows off his new Minecraft backpack. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A mother with a couple of backpacks slung over her shoulder bends over a bin with her children.
A mother with a couple of backpacks slung over her shoulder bends over a bin with her children. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A mother examines a backpack as her kids look on.
A mother examines a backpack as her kids look on. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A table stacked high with notebooks.
A table stacked high with notebooks. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A young girl tilts her head and smiles and she shows off a new pencil pouch.
A young girl tilts her head and smiles and she shows off a new pencil pouch. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A girl with beaded braids shows off several new school supplies.
A girl with beaded braids shows off several new school supplies. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A smiling mother with long hair crouches down and empraces her young daughter, who is holding a new backpack.
A smiling mother with long hair crouches down and empraces her young daughter, who is holding a new backpack. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A box full of yellow Sharpie highlighters, with a few pink, green, and orange ones mixed in.
A box full of yellow Sharpie highlighters, with a few pink, green, and orange ones mixed in. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A girl holding a plate of food smiles into the camera.
A girl holding a plate of food smiles into the camera. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
Cardboard boxes filled with backpacks sit on and under a folding table.
Cardboard boxes filled with backpacks sit on and under a folding table. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A little boy peeks over a countertop at boxes filled with hamburgers.
A little boy peeks over a countertop at boxes filled with hamburgers. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A woman with purple dreds smiles as she holds a plate piled high with hamburgers in one hand and reaches for another plate with the other.
A woman with purple dreds smiles as she holds a plate piled high with hamburgers in one hand and reaches for another plate with the other. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
Two moms with kids are handed several hamburgers from a box labeled "Dick's."
Two moms with kids are handed several hamburgers from a box labeled "Dick's." Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
Three boxes labeled "Dick's" and filled with hamburgers sit on a countertop.
Three boxes labeled "Dick's" and filled with hamburgers sit on a countertop. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A mother digs through a pile of children's books.
A mother digs through a pile of children's books. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
Two smiling women stand behind three boxes filled with hamburgers labeled "Dick's."
Two smiling women stand behind three boxes filled with hamburgers labeled "Dick's." Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A woman opens a box labeled "Dick's," revealing neat stacks of hamburgers inside.
A woman opens a box labeled "Dick's," revealing neat stacks of hamburgers inside. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A little child with a poof of hair looks over their shoulder at the camera.
A little child with a poof of hair looks over their shoulder at the camera. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A man gestures while standing next to a TV screen that reads "Valuable money lessons to teach your kids."
A man gestures while standing next to a TV screen that reads "Valuable money lessons to teach your kids." Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A man gestures while speaking to a crowd.
A man gestures while speaking to a crowd. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
A child with their hair pulled back leans over a foosball table.
A child with their hair pulled back leans over a foosball table. Posts: Here’s how you made back-to-school better! 
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