Pretty soon, thousands of kids across Plymouth are going to be slipping their backpacks on, hopping on that familiar big yellow bus and going back to school. While this is an exciting time of the year, we all know that back-to-school-supply shopping doesn’t always come cheap.
After recognizing that some local families just couldn’t afford to fill their kids’ backpacks, Plymouth’s Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) created a Back to School drive that celebrates 25 years this fall.
“Early into the organization, we realized that preparing for the new school year was difficult for families that were struggling,” says Liz Erstad-Hicks, IOCP’s community engagement manager, who’s been involved with the drive for four years. “The extra cost of school supplies is something that you need new every year—specific calculators, notebooks, binders, dry-erase markers. That’s difficult for families we serve.”
Throughout the month of August, IOCP accepts school supply donations. Though the group usually publicizes a list of most-needed supplies (see sidebar on page 9), the organization gratefully accepts nearly all donations. As supplies roll in, staff and volunteers work together to separate, sort and inventory the donations, putting together supply bags customized for grade levels and gender.
The event culminates at the end of the month when families across Plymouth come to IOCP’s site to pick up their brand-new supplies (this year’s distribution day will be August 26). Families can register as recipients at IOCP’s front desk. Last year, approximately 775 children were equipped with school supplies through the drive. The organization welcomes volunteer time, supplies and monetary donations.
“The community really comes together to support kids in the community who need help to have the tools they need to be successful in school,” IOCP community engagement director Lynn Vettel says. “I’m just always impressed by the way our community responds in terms of providing school supplies and donations.”
Among the supporters is Target, which according to Plymouth’s Target store manager, Mason Allison, has donated several thousand dollars worth of school supplies and more than 100 hours of volunteer time every year for the past four years. Allison and 30 or so members of his staff also work the first shift of distribution day; they often serve more than 300 people in four hours.
“What I get out of it is the enjoyment and the smiles on the kids’ faces, knowing they’re going to be able to go to school without having to worry about school supplies,” says Allison, who also has served on IOCP’s board for the past two years. “And it’s the relief I see and the appreciation I see on the parents’ faces.”
Vettel and Erstad-Hicks acknowledge that the drive takes a significant amount of work, but providing the joy and opportunity is worth the effort.
“Kids are just so proud of the new school supplies that they have. I think that this really gets them excited about the school year. They can go in with confidence, having the tools they need to succeed,” Erstad-Hicks says.
“I personally have a lot of satisfaction knowing that education can be a way out of poverty,” Vettel adds. “They’re going to have what they need like all the other kids in our community.”
Top 10 Back-to-school Supplies Needs
You can help! Drop off supplies at IOCP (1605 County Road 101) anytime during regular business hours, or call 763.489.7500 to set up a convenient time for you to make a donation.
- Backpacks—larger sizes preferred
- Scientific calculators
- Graphing calculators
- Notebook dividers
- 1.5-inch three-ring binders
- College- or wide-ruled notebooks
- Pocket folders
- Composition notebooks
- Glue sticks
- Large erasers
&
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners
1605 County Road 101
763.489.7500
