HACEP hands out hundreds of backpacks during revamped back-to-school fair

El Paso’s housing authority is turning back-to-school into a celebration for hundreds of children.

For six years, the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso has hosted a school supply giveaway. This year the department expanded the event into a back-to-school fair.

During the Housing Choice Voucher or HCV Back-To-School Fair as it’s now known, HACEP was not only able to hand out 500 backpacks filled with approximately $30 worth of school supplies, but it also provided about a dozen exhibitors that offer community services, support and information.

Hundreds of children waited anxiously in line to get their band new backpack before they played games, played loteria and took photos in photo booth.

“It takes a burden off the families, especially when you have two or three kids,” said city Rep. Emma Acosta, who represents parts of East and Central El Paso. “And it makes the kids happy. When you see them getting their backpacks full of their school supplies it just makes them happy.”

Saturday’s event was made possible by a grant from the Moleen Foundation and was sponsored by Chase Bank. Office Depot donated many of the school supplies that were stuffed into the backpacks.

“I think it’s important when (the children) go to school and they can show that they also have a backpack. You know, along with all the others kids that are at school.” Acosta said. “That’s important. … You see their eyes just widen up and just be so grateful that they’re getting a backpack with school supplies.”

During the past six years, HACEP has been able to give out more than 2,000 children a backpack loaded with basic school supplies.