Berrien Community Foundation gearing up for the school year

NILES, Mich. -- The Backpack for Goods event was packed with families eager to start the school year.

Niles and Barrywine Community School families picked out free backpacks filled with school-day essentials: pencils, pens, markers, and more to help ease the financial burden put on families.

Families also learned about community partners and resources they offer in the area. Along with school supplies, fresh produce and shelved goods were available for families to take home.

This was the third event of the Berrien Community Foundation series, hosted in partnership with the hosting school.

Event organizers say the event is all about making sure every child has what they need to succeed, regardless of their family's financial situation.

"Starting school with a brand-new backpack is amazing and having those supplies that are ready for them to start their school year with, just starting them off for success that year is," said Niles Community Schools Superintendent Adam Burtsfield.

The fourth event of this series will be next Thursday at Coloma Junior High School.