Nine local organizations have announced a community-wide school supply drive, which runs through August 7. Supplies collected during the drive will be distributed to area students who are in need of materials to start the school year.
Many area businesses, including major retailers such as Walmart and Al’s Supermarket on Franklin Street, have set up collection bins to accept donations from their employees and the general public. Additional collection sites are located at Captain Ed’s Candy Island & Furniture Showroom, CLH CPAs & Consultants, Dunes Optical, First Trust Credit Union, Jazzercise, Life Care Center of Michigan City, the Michigan City Area Schools’ Administration Building, Members Advantage Credit Union, Michigan City’s City Hall, and St. John’s United Church.
Businesses, churches, and other organizations are invited to join in the collection drive. Supplies collected by community organizations and individuals may be brought to the Elston Cafeteria (enter on the west side of the building on Spring Street, near the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center) on Tuesday, August 7, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
Suggested donations include: pencils, black pens, spiral notebooks and 3-hole notebook paper (especially college rule), markers (washable), dry erase markers, glue sticks, erasers, pencil boxes, 2-pocket folders, antibacterial wipes, facial tissues, backpacks (new or gently used), “Ziploc” sandwich bags, rulers, highlighters, composition books, calculators, and ear buds/headphones.
“Many families in our community are struggling to make ends meet,” says Pat Harris, chair of the Citywide Back-to-School Rally committee. “We hope that this drive will help assure that every student is prepared for school this fall.”
Distribution of the supplies will take place during a Citywide Back-to-School Rally on Thursday, August 9 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elston’s Gill Field. The event is a collaborative effort supported by numerous community agencies. This year, the organizing committee for the Back to School Rally includes representatives from Indiana Black Expo, MDWise, Michigan City Area Schools, HealthLinc, Anthem, American Licorice, the YMCA Elston Branch, Sodexo, and the LaPorte County NAACP.
Volunteers are needed on August 7 and 8 to assist in sorting school supplies and on August 9 for the Back-to-School Rally. Information on volunteering, sponsorships, and exhibiting at the Rally may be found at here.