Community members can help school children in need

Aug. 2—WILLIMANTIC — Community members can help school children in need through Ocean State Job Lot's " Buy- Give- Get" program.

All stores, including the Willimantic store, are participating in the program.

The program is scheduled to end Aug. 24, or when backpacks are sold out. All customers who buy a select backpack at the store for $ 15 and donate it will get a $ 15 " Crazy Deal" gift card. According to a press release from the business, 30,000 backpacks are available for purchase nationwide through the program.

The backpacks will be distributed to students in need, in partnership with the USA Veterans and Military Support Foundations, as well as various support agencies and state police departments across the region. All stores are participating.

Tthe program has supplied over 100,000 backpacks to students in need since it began five years ago, including children in military families.

The Willimantic store is at 60 Cantor Dr.

There are 148 Ocean State Job lot stores across the Northeast. The business's headquarters is in North Kingstown, R. I.

The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation supports numerous causes, supporting those who are hungry, homeless, veterans and military families, animal rescues and children, as well as supporting healthcare, the arts and promoting learning.

The business funds the operational, administrative and overhead expenses for the foundation, ensuring that all of the money raised by the foundation goes directly to those in need.

Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter — @ mwarrentc.