WASHINGTON — More than 500 backpacks packed with school supplies were given away at an Operation Homefront event on Sunday.

The giveaway was held in College Park, Maryland, and gave military families a boost.

“It may not seem like a lot with a backpack with school supplies, but it’s a lot to military families. And they can’t always afford the school supplies — and so it will come primarily out of their food budget. So by helping them out with the backpack, it helps them to keep their food budget intact,” said Rosanne Coleman, program director for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Another Operation Homefront backpack giveaway is planned for Saturday, Aug. 15 in Manassas, Virginia. Learn more about how to register on Operation Homefront’s website.