INNER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn.–In cooperation with Inverhills Church, the Church of St. Patrick and other Inver Grove Heights churches and businesses, Heartland Credit Union and its members donated school supplies to help fill 1,500 backpacks for this year’s "Back To School Bash.”
The backpacks are free to families who may not otherwise be able to send their school-aged children back to school with the required supplies.
Back to School Bash began in 2006 when Pastor Bart Thompson of Inverhills Church and other church staff wanted a way to reach out to the community. After working with ISD 199, 300 backpacks were given away that first year and has grown to over 1,000 in recent years.
Back to School Bash will be hosted by the Church of St. Patrick and includes free concessions, games, inflatables, live music and entertainment.
“We’re excited to be a part of this great event,” said Kathy Harrington, Heartland President. “Easing the financial burden of purchasing school supplies, while ensuring the children in our community arrive to school prepared, is a cause we firmly believe in and will continue to support.”
At right, Irene Ruiz-Briseno, Financial Service Officer (left) and Joey Bentley, Member Service Representative (right), helped coordinate the donation of items