The Brief Over 200 volunteers gathered at the Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School to fill 30,000 backpacks with classroom essentials like notebooks, pencils and folders. Bullard Family Foundation Big Backpack BuildThe backstory:At the ninth annual Bullard Family Foundation's Big Backpack Build, more than 200 volunteers gathered at the Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School. Thaddeus Bullard of the Bullard Family Foundation emphasized the importance of moving the needle by addressing hidden obstacles, such as vision or dental issues that can prevent a child from learning. The backpacks stuffed during the event will be handed out to students during the Bullard Family Foundation's Back-to-School Bash next month. Described by Thaddeus Bullard as roughly 10 events in one, the upcoming gathering features health physicals, dental screenings, eye exams with brand-new pairs of glasses, haircuts, food and fun.