After five weeks of hard work, members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Successful Black Women of MSU came together to help students in need in the Lansing area.
The two groups held a backpack drive to benefit Lansing area K-12 students during Labor Day Weekend.
The drive was held Saturday at Lansing's Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy and was open to K-12 students.
Selena Crummie, an actuarial science senior and vice president of Successful Black Women of MSU, said 45 backpacks filled with school supplies were given out.
After they ran out of backpacks, the group continued handing out supplies, she said. Overall, they aided more than 50 students.
“We’re trying to show the community we’re here (to help),” food industry management senior and Kappa Alpha Psi member Salim Lancaster said "The only way the community can thrive is with the support of clubs and people."
Organizers sought to create an event that worked with the schedule and needs of the community.
“We can provide supplies to students in need, in a convenient location and (at) a convenient time,” student life coordinator at the Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy Elvin Caldwell said.
The drive was also beneficial to parents who might not have been able to afford school supplies for their children.
“When you’re a parent on a budget, it really helps,” Lansing resident Latisha Taylor said.
Taylor is the mother of Jordan Taylor, age 9, who received school supplies from the drive.
Students Terance Miller, age 6, and Laniya Ly, age 8, were excited to receive school supplies and to be going back to school.
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