The Gorham Backpack program has been collecting school supplies and pantry items. According to their recent Facebook post: “As our students head back to school, we want every single one of them to feel ready and supported. The good news is that school supplies for our elementary students have been donated. But right now, we have nothing for our middle and high school A Gorham High School is completely empty.” Calling for help, the organizers are grateful for the donations.

A Facebook post from Sept. 19 reads, “A huge thank you to two incredible supporters of the BackPack Program! Jackie Leeper and Alpha Delta Kappa collected two full trunkloads of donations at their very first meeting of the year, a generous tradition they keep up every fall.” What they called “the big dropoff” happened at GMS last Wednesday morning.

The organizers also extended a big thank you to Jeff Ballard, who launched a creative fundraiser offering free pickup and delivery of old trash cans to Public Works for recycling, asking only for a donation to the program in return, raising over $1,000 while keeping cans out of the waste stream and helping neighbors along the way.

So, please keep in mind that the BackPack Program’s needs are ongoing throughout the school year. Donations for the program can be made out to Gorham School Department, add Backpack Program to the memo. Mail to Hollis Cobb, Finance Officer, Gorham School Department, 75 South Street, Gorham, ME 04038.Learn more at growgivegorham.org/.