OSKALOOSA —
On Wednesday evening, volunteers helped fill backpacks with school supplies for area school children in need at Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. The supplies were gathered through the United Way of Mahaska County’s Stuff the Bus program. The backpacks themselves were gathered as part of United Way’s annual Operation Backpack.
Russ Reiter, superintendent of the Oskaloosa Community School District, said the supplies include all of the things students will need to succeed such as pens and paper, among numerous other items. These items also include things for classrooms such as dry erase markers, he said.
Reiter said the need for these school supplies is clear. He said there are families in his district that have children who come to school everyday that need these school supplies because of tight household budgets.
Individuals throughout the area, as well as a number of businesses contributed to Stuff the Bus. Reiter couldn’t be happier at the level of participation in the program.
“I’m elated,” he said.
A couple of Oskaloosa School Board members were on hand at Wednesday’s distribution effort at the church. Reiter noted that he is pleased to see school board members active in the community who are open to input.
Reiter, noting the busy nature of this time of year just before school begins again, said Wednesday’s distribution effort signifies the start to a great school year.
Back in July of this year, the United Way of Mahaska County literally stuffed a school bus full of school supplies like notebooks and colored pencils. The bus was parked in a lot on South D Street to show the community what supplies had been gathered.
Although the July 13 deadline to apply to receive these supplies has past, those living anywhere in Mahaska County can contact United Way of Mahaska County at (641) 673-6043 for assistance. Households with students applying for the school supplies would have to meet guidelines related to their household income.
The items not used for Operation Backpack will go to Oskaloosa Community Schools’ supply closet, said Katie Schippers, community impact coordinator with United Way of Mahaska County.
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Related Photos
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Oskaloosa School Board members Tom Richardson, left, Laurie Fiscella, center, and Charlie Comfort, right, fill backpacks with school supplies at Central United Methodist Church Wednesday evening. Herald photo by Andy Goodell
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