Posted 1:27 am Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Area Nonprofits Begin Efforts To Meet Student Needs
By REBECCA HOEFFNER
Staff Writer
Nonprofits around Tyler are gearing up to help for what can be one of the most stressful times of the year for struggling families -- back to school.
Staff Writer
Nonprofits around Tyler are gearing up to help for what can be one of the most stressful times of the year for struggling families -- back to school.
PATH
The people attempting to help at PATH are gearing up for back-to-school season in more than one way. The organization has collected backpacks through 89.5 KVNE and 91.3 KGLY, Encouragement FM. The drive ends Friday.
"Even getting a backpack is a financial burden for some parents," Troy Kriechbaum, president and CEO of Encouragement FM, said.
PATH is also distributing basic school supplies with its "school supply train" program to 64 participating Smith County schools, as it has been doing for more than 20 years.
PATH gave away about 86,000 supplies to area schools at their daylong give away at a local barn. Representatives from the schools arrived to pick up the supplies, while PATH volunteers helped load them into the vehicles.
"It's important for the self-esteem of the child," said Becky Duncan, PATH outreach coordinator. "You have certain tools that you use at work. These supplies are the children's tools of their trade."
ST. PAUL CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
For the fifth year, St. Paul Children's Foundation is kicking off its Khakis for Kids event Tuesday and Aug. 18. The event gives away a package of school supplies and clothing to low-income families who pre-registered in June.
"The children are very excited to open their backpacks and take everything out and try on their shoes right then," Linda Sharpe, administrative assistant for the St. Paul's Foundation, said. "The shoes are a big deal to them, because many of them have not had new things before. Their eyes are so bright when they walk out with the backpack on their back and their big sack of stuff."
The organization offers two sets of uniforms, backpacks full of school supplies and immunizations to the families they serve.
Each year has seen a 25 percent increase in participation from the preceding year, according to a news release from the foundation.
Ms. Sharpe was a teacher for 30 years before she began working with the foundation.
"Since I was a teacher I know how expensive it is to send kids back to school," she said. "It's nearly impossible for low-income families."
EAST TEXAS FOOD BANK
During every school year, the East Texas Food Bank sends kids in need home with a backpack full of food to keep them from being hungry during the weekend. The food bank works with educators to identify children who are candidates for free or subsidized lunches during the week, and provides those children with backpacks.
Many times, the parents of eligible children have to decide between paying bills and buying groceries.
The food bank feeds about 2,400 children and is trying to raise money to help cover the cost to feed others.
"We haven't closed the gap," said executive director Dennis Cullinane. "We can only do what we have the funding to do."
A child can be fed every weekend for the length of the school year for only $144, Cullinane said.
People who would like to donate can visit easttexasfoodbank.org.
