Volunteers Help Families Facing Economic Challenges Send Kids to School with New Backpacks-and Hope

"Having proper school supplies can mean the difference between a child staying in school and dropping out," - Ted Gandy, Here's Life Inner City

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2008—Record-high food prices and fuel costs are forcing many U.S parents to make difficult decisions-they simply can't afford to purchase the required school supplies their kids need when they don't even have enough money for food. 

Responding to the economic uncertainties facing many families, volunteers nationwide are participating in a project known as PowerPack to help ensure that inner-city children have the items they need to participate in school this year.  With the volunteers' help and generous donations, this year some 2,500 students will receive PowerPacks-brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies. 

"A simple PowerPack can change a child's attitude about school and break the cycle of poverty, as it empowers the youngster to dream about the future," said Ted Gandy, national director of Here's Life Inner City, the ministry organizing the PowerPack initiative.  

The PowerPacks will be distributed to kids in need through Here's Life Inner City S.A.Y. Yes! centers and partner churches. There are more than 170 S.A.Y.Yes! centers located around the country, helping to develop at-risk students into strong leaders. Operated by inner-city churches in partnership with Here's Life Inner City, the centers provide children with tutoring, computer training, mentoring, Bible classes and other activities designed to nurture their development.

"Needy children gain a new sense of being valued when they receive a PowerPack," said Gandy. "Here's Life Inner City's PowerPack project is not just about meeting physical needs, but also bringing hope and joy into the lives of children."

The PowerPack program currently helps some 2,500 children each year, but Here's Life Inner City would like to expand the program to help more kids in need  For information about how to participate in the PowerPack project call (718) 391-4500 or visit www.HLIC.org.

Here's Life Inner City, the urban ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, is dedicated to equipping churches to provide help and hope to the poverty-stricken in their communities.  Since 1983, Here's Life Inner City and more than 1,200 partner churches and organizations have been responding to the growing epidemic of poverty and despair in the inner city. The wide-ranging efforts have provided the poor with food and other basic necessities, life skills, career development and youth development programs.

-30-