“We’ve topped it,” said coordinator Carol Lynch of Temple about the Churches Touching Lives for Christ ministry. “Tallies show that we’ll be helping more than 1,100 students this year.”

That’s a good increase, she said, compared to the 874 from 2007.

Area schools identify the children who need the kind of help Backpack Buddies provides.

“Either the Community in Schools teacher or the principal gives us a list from their school,” Ms. Lynch said. “They know the students and families with the most need, which students would truly benefit.”

The total number of students is then divided among the Backpack Buddies volunteers who want to help.

And then the magic happens: An army of volunteers storms the land for scissors, pencils, crayons and the like, all for a smiling little one, waiting for his or her new backpack.

“And backpacks are not a convenience. They are a necessity,” said Catherine Smith, site director for Communities in Schools at Lamar Middle School in Temple. “Students have a great deal of homework. They need backpacks to transport books and materials back and forth from school to home to be successful.”

But that can’t happen if all a child’s family can afford is a pencil.

“There are so many students that come to school with absolutely nothing,” Ms. Smith said. “And if it weren’t for the Backpack Buddies, the schools would be scrambling for supplies.”

The supplies don’t just give students the ability to go to class with everything that’s needed for assignments and projects.

“It boosts their self-esteem and self-worth,” Ms. Smith said. “When they receive them, it helps establish a sense of trust between them and the Communities in Schools staff. They know they can feel comfortable coming to us for assistance with any problem.”

But that’s just part of the Backpack Buddies gift.

“Each person who signs up to sponsor a student also prays for that child during the school year,” Ms. Lynch said. “Volunteers are given a bookmark with daily prayer suggestions. We do this to support the children as they use the tangible parts of the gift - the supplies they are given.”

Daily prayer requests are for the students to choose good friends, make healthy choices, have good role models, have strong families, practice perseverance, make joy in their lives and to draw near to Christ.

“Schools and churches can help by organizing school supply drives,” Ms. Lynch said. “That way families with extra resources will have an immediate way to contribute.”

Groups interested in setting up school supply drives should contact Ms. Lynch at 254-742-0806.

“We have the backpacks already,” Ms. Lynch said. “If we can get a broader range of supplies, then the students will get one of each thing on the school supply list instead of just what our volunteers are able to collect.”

The Temple school district already has plans to help.

“We are delighted to get involved with this year’s effort and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with (Backpack Buddies),” said Regina Baird, director of TISD public relations. “Together, this community can truly reach out and provide opportunities for every child to succeed.”

Distribution of school supplies and backpacks will take place during the first two weeks of August, according to a schedule to be determined by the 11 participating schools in Temple.

Students from the Troy, Pendleton and Oenaville communities will benefit from the Backpack Buddies program as well. On the first day of school, 85 children will have new backpacks, thanks to volunteers from the Troy Ministerial Alliance. Last year was the first time for the Troy area to participate in Backpack Buddies; in that first venture, 60 students got new supplies.

--tlunsford@temple-telegram.com