Video: United Way School Supply Give-Away in Tupelo

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The United Way of Northeast Mississippi wants to make sure that area children are ready for the new school year.

That’s why they sponsored The Back 2 School Resource Fair today at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Now in it’s third year, the goal was to distribute free backpacks and other school supplies to any child in need. Melinda Tidwell is Executive Director of the United Way of Northeast Mississippi and says each backpack contained some basic school supplies that all children need.

“You know every child needs backpacks and school supplies to get started with school. And we just want to be sure that they have that good start so they can go through the year smoothly and have everything they need to get started,” says Tidwell.

Tidwell says the backpack give-a-way would not have been possible if it weren’t for cooperate and non-profit sponsors. Toyota was their biggest sponsor with a  $10,000  donation to help sponsor the kids.  They hoped to give away 2,500 backpacks.