FARMINGTON – New Mexico students may be starting the school year online, but school supplies are still needed for at-home learning.

CopperRidge Church seeks to fill that need by partnering with nonprofit group The Libre Institute to provide students with backpacks and school supplies.

CopperRidge Church Pastor Jeral Dickenson said the partnership came about through a mutual connection. An Albuquerque-based pastor who is part of the church organization had worked with The Libre Institute in the past and referred the group to the Farmington church earlier this summer.

Church officials were ready and willing to partner with The Libre Institute to help local students. They have partnered with similar groups in the past to help fill community needs and are always interested in finding new ways to help the community. In June, the church partnered with Convoy of Hope to distribute 30,000 pounds of produce and dairy products to local families.

The partnership with The Libre Institute will provide 300 quality backpacks and some basic school supplies during a drive-thru event Saturday. The backpacks were provided by The Libre Institute, with school supplies being donated by various partner organizations.

Backpacks will be available to students with no need to qualify, register or present identification. However, students do need to be present in the vehicle to help ensure supplies are going directly to children. Each child present may receive a backpack until supplies run out, with no limits per family. All students in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in the event. The backpacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

As with most recent events, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how the event will take place. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles while in line. Volunteers will practice social distancing and will wear personal protective equipment. Backpacks will be set in vehicles by volunteers to maintain minimal to no contact.

CopperRidge Church has conducted school supply drives in the past, but Dickenson said it hasn’t been able to organize and collect supplies to this level in previous years. The hope is that the church will be able to partner with The Libre Institute again in the future, and continue serving the community.

The church was hesitant to schedule the backpack distribution early in the school year, with schools being conducted in an online-only format, but Dickenson said students will need the supplies eventually, regardless of how the school year plays out. He said it is better to meet the need now than wait.

“We’re in this together, whether that be COVID or life in general,” Dickenson said. “We really want to be a resource and partner to serve our community.”

The backpack giveaway will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at CopperRidge Church, 805 Saguaro Trail, in Farmington.