Krocfest providing school supplies to thousands of students

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- With just 5 more days until the first day of school for South Bend students, a couple of local organizations are coming together to provide students with school supplies.

The South Bend Community School Corporation and the Kroc Center are teaming up for the Krocfest, an annual back to school community event.

Last year, the event gave away over 2,000 backpacks, each one filled with school supplies, but at least another 2,000 parents and students went away empty-handed because the quantity couldn't match the need.

This year, the school corporation's asking for the community's help.

"When the community comes together, especially on behalf of our children, that meets a need that none of us individually can support," said Superintendent Carole Schmidt. "The level of poverty in our community exceeds what it has been in a number of years."

Recent reports reveal that out of all the students enrolled in 1 of the 34 schools in the school corporation, over 70-percent are living below the poverty line.

"You can see the level of appreciation on the parent's faces. Because they know that their child will have what they need on the first day of school," said Schmidt.

Krocfest is Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Kroc Center on Western Avenue.

Donations can be dropped off at the SBCSC Administration Building on St. Joseph Street in South Bend.