Allstate Foundation hosts a backpack giveaway and free day at the Science Center

This Saturday, August 25 from 10am to 2pm, foster children and underserved youth can get a free backpack and school supplies, and enjoy a free day at Pacific Science Center.

Nonprofits that support underserved and foster youth are invited to bring the children they support to enjoy a free day at the Science Center, and pick up a free backpack and supplies to get prepared for the school year.

As Seattle children get ready to go back to school, families can expect to pay $637 in school supplies for an elementary school student, $941 for a middle schooler and $1,355 for a high schooler, according to the Huntington Bank's 2018 Backpack Index.

To help relieve some of the pressure of school supply costs, the Allstate Foundation is partnering with Pacific Science Center to give away 1,000 backpacks and school supplies to underserved youth and foster children on Saturday, August 25 from 10am to 2pm.

AdoptUSKids reports that there are over 10,000 children in foster care in Washington, so the Allstate Foundation and PacSci invited local nonprofits that support foster children and underserved youth, and the children in their care to enjoy a free day at the Science Center and a free backpack filled with supplies before the school year starts.

“Every child should have access to the tools needed to succeed in the classroom, regardless of their family situation,” said Kristian Landon-Suson, a local Allstate agent. “The price of school supplies remains a challenge for many families—a challenge they face every year—so the Allstate Foundation wants to lend a helping hand by providing essential supplies to those who need it most.”

Together, participating Washington agency owners and the Allstate Foundation are also donating $15,000 to PacSci to support its mission to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery. Among the participating Allstate agency owners is Rallie Jamero with an office in North City in Shoreline and John Ramsay on NE 45th in Seattle.

“Pacific Science Center is excited to partner with the Allstate Foundation for their backpack drive. We share Allstate’s commitment to ensure all children have the opportunities and tools to learn,” said Will Daugherty, Pacific Science Center president and CEO.

“Through our Family and Youth Access Memberships, we are able to supplement science education for youth who may not otherwise have access. We very much appreciate Allstate’s generous donation of supplies. Together, we ignite curiosity and help these students succeed in school.”