Temple Fire & Rescue Provides 130 Backpacks for Local Students
    Temple Fire & Rescue Provides 130 Backpacks for Local Students
    City Media Releases

    Temple Fire & Rescue Provides 130 Backpacks for Local Students

    130 backpacks were filled by Temple Fire & Rescue for this year's Backpack Buddies program

    TEMPLE, TX (August 14, 2026) – In July, Temple Fire & Rescue partnered with Churches Touching Lives for Christ (CTLC) to participate in their annual Backpack Buddies program. The program provides school supplies to local students who need additional assistance gathering supplies for the upcoming academic year. 

    Each year, Temple Fire & Rescue partners with Churches Touching Lives for Christ to donate school supplies to students in need. The back-to-school season can be stressful for families with financial constraints, and this program connects students to essential school resources. Contributing to our community in this way has become a staple for Temple Fire & Rescue. 

    Santos Soto, Temple Fire & Rescue PIO, Fire Driver

    Each summer, Temple Fire accepts donations of school supplies at fire stations throughout the city. Donations are made by community members and by the Temple Professional Firefighters Association.
    Once donations have been gathered, Temple firefighters help fill each bag and deliver them to the Ralph Wilson Youth Club, where the backpacks are stored until schools are able to pick them up. School staff and counselors at each receiving school determine which students will receive a backpack based on financial need. Temple Fire & Rescue does not have a role in determining if children qualify for a bag.
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    By inviting the community to donate school supplies and contribute to Backpack Buddies, we are not only providing resources to the youth in our community, but also inviting residents to have a direct impact on their neighbors. This program is beneficial in so many ways, and Temple Fire & Rescue is proud to play a small role in contributing to education and student well-being in our community.

    Christopher Perez, Fire Chief

    This year, Temple Fire & Rescue filled 130 bags with school supplies. The backpacks were delivered to Ralph Wilson Youth Club for holding on July 30. Temple High School student-athletes helped unload the deliveries into the gymnasium.  
    To learn more about the Temple Fire & Rescue, visit templetx.gov/fire.