Backpack Fence in Teller County Aims to provide 400 free backpacks to families in need

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- School is about to start, and one organization in Teller County is finding a way to help out families in need by handing out backpacks in a unique way. 

It's called Backpack Fence, a place where backpacks will be hung, and families can walk up and grab one.

Last year, the non-profit Divide Mountain Explorers took over the backpack giveaway, providing 200 backpacks, but this year, they are stepping it up. The organizers saw a need in the community and are now expanding. Opening one location in Victor and two in Woodland Park.

What makes this project unique is that families can approach the fence and pick up a backpack, no questions asked.

Volunteers fill the backpacks with grade-appropriate school supplies; this year, the goal is to distribute 400 backpacks.

"We do need a lot, school supplies. We can. We can never give away too many any that we would have left over, we would just give to, we would, give it to the local schools in Teller County, and then just have so that the teachers and stuff like that would be able to give them to kids in need throughout the school year," said Mike

Families can pick up the backpacks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1.

Locations in Woodland Park:

• 1030 Woodland Park Ave., behind Safeway
• 735 Gold Hill Place S. at Kenpo Karate

Locations in Victor:

• 367 3rd Street at the Victor Elks Club

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