As Niles children head off for the first day of school today, a large percentage of students will catch a ride on a big yellow school bus.

In addition to providing transportation for hundreds of students in the district, last week, local bus drivers offered a special start to the school year for 32 students at Ballard and Howard elementary schools.

While cleaning the bus garage over the summer, members of First Student — the business contracted for busing at Niles schools — found 32 empty backpacks that were given to the business for the bus drivers.

“I thought, ‘why don’t we stuff them with school supplies and give them to some kids?’” said Patti Wozniak, of First Student.

Wozniak asked members of the First Student team if they would be willing to contribute money or school supplies to help with the project.

“We actually had a very good outpouring of support,” Wozniak said. “The ladies and gentlemen were very good about opening their pocketbooks and giving back to these kids.”

Backpacks were stuffed with the usual school staples — crayons, pencils, paper, folders, etc. — and divided in half between the two elementary schools the bus drivers work with.

“Northside needs things other than backpacks, so we decided we would help Ballard and Howard,” Wozniak said. “We split them in half,” giving 16 to Howard and 16 to Ballard.

The backpacks were delivered to the schools Thursday, and will be distributed to underprivileged children.

With the money left over from the bus drivers’ donations, the bus garage has decided to purchase food items to donate to Northside.

“I was very impressed with the way that the drivers were forthcoming and helpful,” Wozniak said.