United Way program gives out 470 backpacks
United Way will distribute 470 backpacks to all schools in the community following its Adopt A Backpack program.
The nonprofit will continue taking donations through Aug. 13 at Publix stores. All donations will benefit Hall County students.
About 60 parents and children waited in line Thursday for free bookbags and school supplies at the office of Harrison Square Apartments.
Amerigroup health insurance company bought most of the gifts, including 100 bookbags. Office Pro's also donated school supplies. Eighty to 100 kids in the Gainesville Housing Authority east side complex’s 75 apartments will benefit from the donations, said Beatriz Shirley, property case manager at Harrison Square.
Median income for housing authority residents city wide is about $14,000 per year, said special projects coordinator Jim Chapman. The Housing Authority will give away another 100 bookbags next week at Melrose Apartments and Green Hunter Homes, Chapman said. Items come from community donations, Chapman said.
“We go around hat in hand,” he said.
Amerigroup is one of three private health care insurance providers for Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids customers, said Amerigroup community relations specialist Kim Frisbee.