As Hempstead families prepare for the start of another school year, the Salvation Army Hempstead Community Center is helping ease some of the cost as they distributed 145 backpacks filled with school supplies to local children on Saturday.
Maj. Silvia Machado-Ocasio, leader of the Hempstead Community Center, said organizers have seen more families seeking assistance this year as households contend with higher living expenses.
Her concerns come as changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are set to take effect this fall. Beginning in October, states will be responsible for a larger share of the program’s administrative costs under the federal budget law signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025.
The New York State Association of Counties estimates that the change will shift an additional $168 million in SNAP administrative costs to counties across the state.
“With the rising cost of living and many government assistance programs being cut back or limited, including SNAP, families are facing additional financial strain,” Machado-Ocasio said. “We feel incredibly blessed to be able to help relieve some of that burden through backpack distributions and the other assistance programs we offer at our community center.”
Machado-Ocasio said families have also told the Salvation Army that school-supply lists appear to be growing, increasing the number of items parents must purchase before their children return to the classroom.
The community center holds the drive annually, and Machado-Ocasio said some families have come to depend on the event as they prepare for the school year.
“The Salvation Army Hempstead Community Center hosts this backpack drive every year, and we continue to hear from local families just how much they appreciate it,” she said. “Families have come to rely on this event, and many look forward to it each year.”
For organizers, the goal extends beyond helping families check items off their school-supply lists. Having the right supplies can affect how children feel when they enter their classrooms at the beginning of the year.
“While a backpack and school supplies may seem like simple things, they can make a real difference in helping a child feel prepared and confident,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s about making sure children have the tools they need so they can focus on what’s most important, learning.”
Volunteers helped collect supplies, fill the backpacks and prepare for the distribution. Hempstead Caring Hearts also participated, providing cotton candy, popcorn, decorations and face painting.
“This is about so much more than distributing backpacks; it’s about bringing families together, creating a memorable experience and getting children excited and ready for the new school year,” Machado-Ocasio said.
As families left with supplies in hand, Machado-Ocasio said she hoped the event would provide both parents and children with a sense of confidence heading into the school year.
“For parents, we want them to feel confident knowing they are sending their children to school prepared and ready to take on the new school year,” she said. “And for the kids, we want them to feel confident knowing they have what they need and can focus on the most important thing: their education.
