NASHUA – Now that August is underway, school will soon be back in session, and in recognizing that, the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter is hoping to give away upward of 1,900 backpacks.

These backpacks will be loaded with all the necessary school supplies needed for elementary through high school-aged kids that need them most in Nashua and surrounding towns. On Wednesday, volunteers from Fidelity and BAE Systems provided assistance in moving supplies and sorting through them. Moving into the backpack giveaways 24th year, Michael Reinke, executive director at NSKS said what they do is provide kids with supplies such as ring binders, graphing calculators, pens and pencils, notebooks, small dictionaries and, of course, backpacks. People also can donate supplies at the soup kitchen at 2 Quincy St., Nashua and Banyan Tree Yoga at 5 Pine St. Ext. #2a, Nashua through Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s a great example of community coming together to help kids in need,” Reinke said.

However, if people are unable to find the time to shop in stores for school supplies, they can instead shop through Amazon’s Amazon Smile at smile.amazon.com/ch/02-0359239, and a percentage of sales will go to the NSKS. They ask that all school supplies be shipped to NSKS Backpacks for Back to School, P.O. Box 3116, Nashua NH 03061-3116. In addition, donations of any amount also will be accepted, and if writing a check (Made out to NSKS) they ask that it’s designated as “Backpack Program” in the memo line. Volunteer opportunities are available for those who are interested, and shifts can be scheduled with Carol Weeks, director of resource development, at carol@nsks.org or by phone at 889-7770 ext. 121.

“The best thing about it is kids get to pick their own backpack,” Reinke said.

The backpacks will be distributed on Aug. 21 from 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Aug. 22 from 1-3 p.m. and Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“One of the reasons I love NSKS is it becomes a vehicle for how Nashuans express their care and concern for people who need a hand,” Reinke said. “If kids need stuff to go to school we’ll make sure they are going to get it.”

Adam Urquhart can be reached

at 594-1206 or aurquhart@

nashuatelegraph.com.