Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz

HAMMOND — As students prepare for the upcoming school year, hundreds lined up at Purdue University Northwest on Thursday to pick out backpacks and other school supplies.

This was the third year PNW hosted its "Roaring Back-to-School" giveaways on both its Hammond and Westville campuses.

Inside the 169th Street Parking Garage on the Hammond campus, university staff members distributed necessary back-to-school items, including notebooks, pencils, binders, art supplies and notecards, from the trunks of cars. Additionally, the events featured games and face painting for children, as well as information tables about PNW programs and other resources for families.

"This is one of our favorite events of the year," said Christina Maldonado, director of admissions for

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