Over 300 backpacks, filled with school supplies were distributed to military families at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst by Operation Homefront.
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- Operation Homefront distributed 340 backpacks at the joint base Tuesday for children of military families.
Visitors - some of them complete families, some just individual parents - were met by a friendly group of volunteers and staff from the 99th Regional Support Command at the annual event.
Homefront volunteers matched the style of the backpack and its contents to the child's grade level.
"Prior to this it was a backpack distribution event. And now we're turning it into more of an expo feel," Homefront program manager Matt McCue said.
New, expectant military moms showered with gifts at joint base
He added that they are careful with what vendor organizations they invite, making sure they are meaningful, veteran-friendly or veteran-helpful organizations.
Vendors this year included Penn State Berks campus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Green Castle and US Family Health Plan.
A national program, Operation Homefront's annual Back-to-School Brigade is in its 3rd year at Joint Base MDL.
Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit that provides emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.
Other services the organization provides include emergency financial assistance, rent-free transitional housing and family and caregiver programs and are organized under the categories of relief, recovery and recognition.
Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelmancuso Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook