TOWN OF MENASHA — Town squad cars are now carrying backpacks filled with books to give to children as some comfort when the children face crisis situations.

The backpacks and books provided by Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness (REACH) also will be given to members of the Victim Crisis Responders who assist police departments on crisis calls.

The books will be given to children who have witnessed or been involved in a traumatic event, said town police officer Jason Weber.

The program is sponsored locally by the J.J. Keller Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region.