Backpack Blessings: Year-round support for school supplies
A grant from Mid-Ohio Energy's Community Fund adds support to Alger First United Methodist Church's efforts to provide a variety of backpacks and school supplies to Upper Scioto Valley students and teachers.
Last fall, the Backpack Blessing program provided more than 230 bookbags filled with supplies to students during a back-to-school drive up event held at the school. Each bag includes items like papers, pencils, glue, headphones/ear buds, and more.
The program's committment doesn't end there- a storage room at the school is stocked with supplies that can be used as needed throughout the school year.
"At the start of the school year, teachers may have a supply of bulk classroom supplies like tissues and dry erase markers, but as the year goes on that stockpile runs out," says program volunteer Cheryl Hurley, "The storage room collection helps them stay equipped with the items they need."
Supplies are sorted by grade level to meet specific needs for each classroom. The program is entering its ninth year and continues to grow through community recognition and donations.