Kent children receive backpacks and school supplies

For the Reporter

Brand new backpacks and plenty of school supplies awaited 224 children who live at Mercy Housing’s Appian Way Apartments in Kent.

U.S. Bank in the Kent area provided free backpacks and school supplies to the children on Aug. 18 in preparation for the school year.

U.S. Bank employee volunteers, along with Sharon Hughes, U.S. Bank community affairs manager, and Teresa Palmer, regional manager of resident services for Mercy Housing, distributed the backpacks and school supplies at Appian Way Apartments, 25818 26th Place S.

Mercy Housing is working to create a more humane world where poverty is alleviated, communities are healthy and all people can develop their full potential. The people at Mercy Housing believe that affordable housing and supportive programs improve the economic status of residents, transform neighborhoods and stabilize lives.

“Children need to have backpacks and the proper school supplies when they begin the school year,” said Chris Heman, president of U.S. Bank in Washington. “This special school supplies event is one way we show our commitment to the Seattle community. U.S. Bank is honored to have a long and supportive relationship with Mercy Housing. U.S. Bank has helped Mercy Housing create and preserve housing for lower income families by providing grants, sponsorships, employees as board members and financing for their operations and housing development projects in Seattle, and across U.S. Bank’s 25-state retail footprint.”

U.S. Bank is working with Mercy Housing in seven cities to provide backpacks and school supplies to more than 650 children who reside in Mercy Housing rental developments. The backpacks and school materials were supplied through collaboration between U.S. Bank and Schoolhouse Supplies. U.S. Bank and Schoolhouse Supplies have been partners since 2001.