Huntington donates 1,000 backpacks

We’ve spent the better part of the last week with a big, but rewarding task – distributing 1,000 backpacks and school supplies that Huntington Bank donated to The Salvation Army on behalf of Indianapolis Public School children across the city. The donation is part of a 30,000 backpack donation throughout Huntington’s six-state service area. And we got them all in the hands of kids at our shelter and 6 different IPS locations in time for their first day of school!

Due to Huntington’s generosity, we were able to deliver about 600 more backpacks than in 2009. Those backpacks, provided by Big Lots Inc. at a significantly reduced rate to Huntington Bank were packed along with donated school supplies. And the teachers and principals receiving the donation on behalf of their students couldn’t have been more grateful or excited to see our truck pull up!

Huntington knows how much of a financial strain school supplies can put on a family. According to Huntington’s 2010 Backpack Index, it costs parents about $474 for elementary school, $545 for middle school and $1,000 for high school students to return to the classrooms. “Providing school supplies to Indiana children in need is a large part of what the Huntington Backpack Index is all about,” said Huntington Bank Central Indiana President Mike Newbold. “We not only want to call attention to the costs to send a child back to school prepared to learn, but also help out families who are having a difficult time making ends meet.”

So, thanks to Huntington Bank and Big Lots Inc. for their partnership!