By Kristen Guglielmo

The River Fund distributed thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies on Aug. 22 on Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill at its annual Child Poverty Awareness Day, held alongside the nonprofit’s weekly grocery distribution.

Founder Swami Durga Das, top center, worked the event with staff and a large team of volunteers, making sure every child in the long line went home with a backpack, according to Community Board 9 Chair Sherry Algredo, who helped assist during the event.

Others who stopped by to volunteer and show support included Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson, state Sen. Leroy Comrie, Councilmember Lynn Schulman; Raimondo Graziano, chief of staff for state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr.; Anthony Lemma of Assemblymember David Weprin’s office; and Darin Sawan, the Queens representative for the city’s Office of Mass Engagement.

Resorts World New York City presented the River Fund with a check for $70,000, top, in honor of the nonprofit’s annual Child Poverty Awareness Day. MetroHealth handed out coloring books and crayons to the kids, and Mrs. Met made an appearance, much to the delight of the children (and Mets fans) there.