Hundreds of students from Waltham, Watertown and Newton got a jump on their back-to-school prep Monday — boosted by the Salvation Army’s program to distribute 850 backpacks full of supplies.

“Hardworking parents hit hard by inflation are having to make difficult decisions, like whether to buy needed school supplies for their kids, buy groceries, or put gas in their car,” the Salvation Army Massachusetts Division wrote in a release Monday. “The Salvation Army helps by meeting a family’s back-to-school and other emergency needs.”

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division hosted an annual “Tools for School” backpack giveaway at the Waltham Corps Community Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.

The program is one of several leading up to school aiming to assist families living paycheck to paycheck, the division said, along with afterschool programs throughout the year.

Staff from the organization’s Pathway of Hope Program were on site to provide information about resources for families experiencing poverty, and the Emergency Disaster Services canteen provided lunch and snacks throughout the day.

About 11% of Waltham residents were experiencing poverty as of late 2023, the organization noted.

The Salvation Army reported they continue “to see record numbers of requests for food, rent, utility and emergency assistance due to continued inflation and other factors like housing costs.”

Tatiana Ruiz, 4, and Keller Davila,6, check out their new backpacks. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Daniel Gil, who is entering 1st grade, picks out a backpack during a back-to-school giveaway hosted by the Salvation Army Monday in Waltham. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Lorena Palma Escobar, 9, selects a new backpack as her sister Morelia looks on. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)