For Immediate Release August 16, 2005

For More Information Contact: Marty Posch, 317-278-8573 mposch@iupui.edu

Chalk Up Another Successful Drive for BackPack Attack, IUPUI Donations up 20 Percent

Volunteers process donations for the 2005 Back Pack Attack.

INDIANAPOLIS - Thousands of Indianapolis children will have school supplies when school starts, thanks to the IUPUI family and others who contributed tens of thousands of school supplies in the largest BackPack Attack to date.

The 2005 BackPack Attack collected more than 350,000 school supplies, including pencils, paper, crayons, notebooks, and back packs, for Indianapolis students in IPS schools.

IUPUI gave more supplies than any of the more than 160 companies involved in this year's campaign with a total exceeding 33,000 supplies. This was an increase of nearly 20 percent over the previous year.

Supplies collected went directly to IPS schools that are part of the United Way Bridges to Success program. This year's school supplies campaign also benefited the annual Back to School Fest at the Children's Museum where more than 1,900 children received school supplies and back packs.

BackPack Attack brings together local organizations, schools and businesses to help provide some of the necessary supplies students need to start the school year.

The project is a partnership between IUPUI, United Way Bridges to Success, YMCA, Children's Museum and Fox 59. ###