CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa charity is seeking donations to provide new, fully-stocked backpacks to children in the foster care system. Families Helping Families of Iowa says donations are being collected through July 23 at places around Cedar Rapids. Those places include two Bankers Trust locations, Capri College, the Junior League, Nadia’s Salon, and United Fire Group, as well as the Families Helping Families office.

An array of school supplies are being sought, from backpacks to pencils and pen and notebooks. A full list of needs can be found at http://www.familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/programs/school-supplies/ .
The backpacks will be handed out to around 400 children on Aug. 4 at the Families Helping Families office in Cedar Rapids. The group’s Back to School Rally will also hand out free ice cream and vouchers for shoes and haircuts.