NILES — On Monday morning, at Merritt Elementary school, 60 backpacks, in shades of bright pink, blue and green, were wheeled into the building on a cart, destined for students in need.

The backpacks were donated, along with a variety of school supplies, through a partnership with AT&T Pioneers and state Sen. John Proos.

Proos was contacted by the service organization, which consists of retired or current AT&T employees. The organization asked where there was the most need for the donations and, per advice from the Niles Community School District, Proos recommended that Merritt Elementary students be the recipient of the backpacks.

Two weeks ago, Proos then contacted Merritt Elementary School Principal Matt Severin to tell him the good news.

“Anytime we have the community give to our kids, it’s a great gift,” Severin said. “There’s always kids in need and we are lucky to have a community that is so generous to our kids.”

Severin said the backpacks will be distributed to students in need and stock piled for when a student may lose or ruin their backpack throughout the school year.

AT&T representative Ruth Gaudard, who is an area manager for external affairs and an external manage,r said the Pioneers have been donating backpacks to school across the state for the past 20 years. Through donations from AT&T, Pioneers are able to purchase the backpacks and supplies.

Gaudard also serves as a Pioneer and said this year, the organization donated 3,300 backpacks across the state of Michigan.

To help distribute the backpacks on Monday, Proos visited Merritt Elementary School, where he talked with first graders in Michelle Horvath’s class.

As a legislator, Severin told children that Proos job was to help create laws to make the southwest Michigan community safe and help those in need.

Proos thanked the Pioneers for lending a hand to the Niles community.

“The Pioneers make it a specific mission to partner with the legislature to understand the needs of the community,” Proos said. “Every little bit helps, and we are grateful that they reached out to us.”