Members of LANL Quality Performance Assurance Group teamed up with Smith’s Marketplace employees to load backpacks with school supplies to be donated to elementary school students who need assistance to purchase school essentials. Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Members of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Quality Performance Assurance Group were at Smith’s Marketplace this morning to join with Smith’s employees in filling backpacks with school supplies. The backpacks will be donated to elementary school students in the area having trouble affording school supplies.

Each year, LANL conducts a Lab-wide effort to raise funds for the project. Smith’s not only provides the Lab with a discount, but this year also donated 28 of the backpacks, QPA Group Leader Ernie Petru said. LANL’s 120-member QPA Group spearheaded the drive.

“We look forward to it every year,” Petru said. “We’re so happy to help kids be successful in school.”

Smith’s Marketplace Director Erik Boehm didn’t hesitate when Petru approached him this year. “We love helping out with community projects,” Boehm said.

Boehm who came from the Denver area to assume his position at the store, said he is impressed with the committment of Los Alamos community members to help out with local projects.

“This project is a great partnership between LANL and Smith’s,” Petru said.

Members of LANL Quality Performance Assurance  Group and Smith’s Marketplace employees load backpacks with school supplies. Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com