VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (WVEC) -- Kids worked the assembly line at Norfolk Academy stuffing school supplies into backpacks last Friday.
Sven Patzer, 15, was leading the charge! They call it the "Backpack Attack!"
"We are attacking poverty through backpacks and school supplies," Sven said. "It's kids helping kids, one backpack at a time."
Sven and his classmates stuffed 1,100 backpacks provided by Centura College, which also provided volunteers to help pitch in.
"With the help of Centura College and Dollar Tree providing stuff too, we've really been able to blow it up," he said.
Sven saw a need to do something.
"I've seen plenty of kids who only have mesh backpacks or torn backpacks," he said. "Because they can't afford a nice backpack that'll last them throughout the year. And with a backpack with school supplies, these impoverished kids in the Hampton Roads area are going to be able to start their school year off right. They're going to have a chance to succeed and that'll just help the community as a whole."
The folks at Centura College campuses were more than happy to help with this effort.
"I love it! I love it! I love it!" said Charade Clark, director of admissions at Centura College in Norfolk. "I think it's awesome that we have kids willing to help out other kids in a time of need, especially going back to school with their school supplies. They are working hard."
Those backpacks, filled with school supplies, are now on their way to: Taylor, Sewells Point, James Monroe, Oceanview, Larchmont, Bay View, Tidewater Park, and Mary Calcott elementary schools in Norfolk, Centura College campuses across Hampton Roads, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Chesapeake, and Tidewater Tech in Norfolk.
"We get to help over a thousand kids that are in need with backpacks," said Jeremiah Scarborough, who manages four local schools at Centura College. "That's kind of a cool feeling."
Sven said he was overwhelmed by the generosity.
"I mean they're provided a ton of these backpacks. Words don't express my gratefulness for all of these people here. I can't wait to distribute to the schools around the Hampton Roads area," Sven said.
