(Canton, Ohio) – Over 400 kids are ready for the upcoming school year thanks to a program held by the Salvation Army of Canton.

On Wednesday the organization hosted the annual backpack giveaway where children in need were given new backpacks stocked with school supplies. Salvation Army officials went to local stores to purchase the backpacks and supplies to give to kids grades preschool through high school.

Each family served by the program went through a face-to-face interview and qualification process. As part of the process, they must provide proof of identification, income, and expenses in order to be accepted into the program. Officials added, this also allows the Salvation Army staff to purchase items unique to each individual child. So, each student received a backpack that fit their specific needs.

The project cost the organization roughly $5,000, which reports indicate comes mostly from the general operating fund.