PENNTWP — For Amber Burkett of East Deer Township, the backpack ministry at New Life Christian Ministries meant a Scooby-Doo backpack for one daughter and a purple backpack for another.

It also meant scissors, tablets, folders, glue sticks and making her children's return to school a little easier.

The church, which meets at Knoch High School, has been distributing backpacks and school supplies since 2004.

More backpacks were distributed last year than in the first year of the program, and the coordinator expects the number to be even larger this year.

This year's supplies will be distributed Monday, with donated items still being accepted.

Other back-to-school programs in the county are sponsored by churches and non-profits in Butler and the northern part of the county.

The items are distributed at The Bridge outreach center, a center for youth activities in the Port O'Call mobile home park.

Students are recommended to the program by family or church members.

Recipients list their name, phone number, gender and grade level after they are recommended.

The grandmother of Burkett's daughters recommended the girls to Karen Schiebel, local mission and outreach facilitator at The Bridge.

"It helps us take the burden off," Burkett said.

Burkett said with the number of books her daughters carry around and everyday wear means each needs two backpacks a year. The girls were excited to have their supplies, she said. "They love it."

"Everything is appreciated," she said.

Amanda Bier, 16, of Penn Township appreciated the school supplies last year, and this year she plans to help Schiebel sort the donations.

Amanda and her brother, David, 12, picked up rulers, pencils, notebooks and folders at New Life Ministries second backpack ministry giveaway. They didn't need backpacks, but there were plenty available for the students to pick from.

Schiebel said in 2005 the ministry had 85 students from kindergarten through high school referred. The students came from three school districts and were mostly from the southern Butler County region.

The supplies not given away to the students from Mars, Seneca Valley and Deer Lakes were given to national and international ministries.

This year any leftover supplies will be given to a group in Lancaster County. Anything that group does not need will be given to Tapestries of Life in Mexico.

Schiebel also sets a couple backpacks aside to give to students who have moved and need help.

She said as the date to pass out backpacks nears, she begins wondering if there will be enough donations.

"I start to panic sometimes," she said. But, "things always come through."

With cash donations, she is able to buy school supplies in large quantities. St. Vincent DePaul will also donate backpacks.

Schiebel said when volunteers help sort the donations, she tries to make the supplies grade appropriate. For example, high school students may get a calculator.

The students, who are referred to Schiebel through phone calls, may come to the site to choose backpacks.

Extra items, such as lunch boxes, are placed on a table and each student may choose an item.

Supplies are still being accepted. Pencils, pens, crayons, folders, glue, glue sticks, backpacks and other school supplies may be dropped off at The Bridge, 102 Bay St. until Friday.

Cash donations are also accepted.

For information, call Schiebel at 724-586-2241 or visit www.newlifexn.org.