On Saturday, July 28 the 5th annual Spring Hill Operation Backpack was held. Operation Backpack provides backpacks and school supplies to elementary and middle school students attending Hernando or Pasco schools. The event lasted from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Towne Square Mall on US 19.
About 860 children received around $10,000 in backpacks and school supplies. There were more than 1700 people that attended the event. There was tremendous community support with a large number of contributors to the event, the main event sponsors were: Suncoast Credit Union and the Whittel & Melton Law Firm. A number of local business, clubs and politicians contributed school supplies and were on hand to distribute them.
The students accompanied by an adult received their backpack and then passed a long row of tables where they received different school supplies for their backpack. The children had a choice of many different colored backpacks.
The line was quite long, but the children mostly seemed to enjoy the experience. There was also a bounce house, hotdogs, and more.