MDwise donates more than 5,000 backpacks filled with supplies

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. | Students across the state of Indiana will begin the school year with new backpacks and school supplies because of a donation from MDwise, Indiana's only nonprofit managed health care organization serving Hoosiers on Medicaid.

The donations are part of "MDwise Tools for Schools," a MDwise program providing backpacks filled with supplies to schools and organizations throughout Indiana. Now in its second year, Tools for Schools has provided more than 10,000 supply-filled backpacks to schools and back-to-school events across Indiana in 2011.

The supply-filled backpacks will be provided to the following organizations for handing out at back-to-school events:

* Covering Kids and Families in Lake and LaPorte Counties;

* HealthLinc Community Health Centers in Michigan City and Valparaiso;

* East Chicago Community Health Center

In addition, Elston Middle School in Michigan City will receive backpacks for their students as part of the "Tools for Schools" donation.

"As a statewide health care-focused organization, we recognize that a good education is an important part of every child's overall health and well-being," said Charlotte MacBeth, CEO of MDwise.