Soroptimist International of El Centro distributed more than 400 backpacks during two events last Saturday.

The backpacks were filled with school supplies. According to the local Soroptimist club, the cost of the backpacks and supplies was covered by donations from the community, including $6,000 from BHE Foundation. The club donated 300 backpacks to the Calipatria Latin American Club and Brittany Saiza, who hosted a drive in Niland, received more than 100 backpacks.