13 Jul 2015 Conway Regional to fund 1,000 backpacks for Pine Street community

Conway Regional Health System is providing funding that will enable the Pine Street Backpack program to purchase 1,000 new backpacks for underserved children.

“We are proud to be a part of such a compassionate community initiative. There have been many people who have worked hard for years to provide these backpacks for the kids in our community who need them, and Conway Regional is excited to join in this effort,” said Jim Lambert, Conway Regional Health System President and CEO.

The backpacks will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 8, at Pleasant Branch Baptist Church at 601 Spruce St. Gena Ester, an organizer of the event, expects to distribute about 250 backpacks per hour. Each backpack is stuffed with school supplies by community volunteers. Last year, the program distributed more than 900 backpacks.

“Some of our supporters come strategically and some are God-sends,” said Ester. “Conway Regional’s support shows that it recognizes the importance of this program and what it means to our community.”

Conway Regional is being recognized as a gold sponsor of the program. The health system is also donating hand sanitizers for each backpack.

The primary goal of the backpack program is to provide school supplies for children in grades kindergarten through 12th from low income families that live in the city of Conway and surrounding areas, according to information provided by the program.

Pre-registration for the backpack program is a must and is planned 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 18 and July 25, at Pleasant Branch Baptist Church.

For more information about the backpack program, call 501.697.0930.